High-frequency front end module and communication device

ABSTRACT

A high-frequency front end module includes a primary antenna terminal and a secondary antenna terminal, a first multiplexer and a second multiplexer, a switch circuit, and a first amplifier and a second amplifier. The first multiplexer has a first transmission filter and a first reception filter. The second multiplexer has a second transmission filter and a second reception filter. The switch circuit exclusively switches connection between the primary antenna terminal and the first multiplexer and connection between the primary antenna terminal and the second multiplexer, and exclusively switches connection between the secondary antenna terminal and the first multiplexer and connection between the secondary antenna terminal and the second multiplexer.

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/984,512filed on Aug. 4, 2020, which is a continuation of InternationalApplication No. PCT/JP2019/003988 filed on Feb. 5, 2019, which claimspriority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-018138 filed on Feb.5, 2018. The contents of these applications are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a high-frequency front end module anda communication device that process a high-frequency signal.

2. Description of the Related Art

There is a demand for applying a carrier aggregation (CA) system inwhich different frequency bands are simultaneously used to a multi-bandand multi-mode compatible high-frequency front end module.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCTApplication) No. 2016-501467 discloses an antenna interface circuit thatperforms simultaneous transmission (two-uplink) and simultaneousreception (two-downlink) of signals in different frequency bands usingtwo antennas. More specifically, the antenna interface circuit includesa first antenna interface circuit coupled to a first antenna and asecond antenna interface circuit coupled to a second antenna. The firstantenna interface circuit includes a first quadplexer for a first bandand a second band. Additionally, the second antenna interface circuitincludes a second quadplexer for the first band and the second band.

In a system applied to two-uplink two-downlink, as in the antennainterface circuit disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2016-501467, the twoantennas are disposed in order to suppress mutual interference of twosignals to be simultaneously transmitted, the first antenna is allocatedto a primary antenna that is preferentially used in terms of antennaperformance and the like, and the second antenna is allocated to asecondary antenna. In such a system, in order to optimize signal qualityeven in one-uplink, it is necessary to transmit and receive each of thefirst band and the second band by using the primary antenna. Therefore,each of the first antenna interface circuit and the second antennainterface circuit requires four filters of a transmission filter and areception filter which take the first band as a pass band and atransmission filter and a reception filter which take the second band asa pass band. That is, since the antenna interface circuit disclosed inJapanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCTApplication) No. 2016-501467 requires a total of eight filters, there isa problem in that the circuit increases in size as the number of bandsincreases.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Accordingly, the present disclosure has been made in order to solve theabove-described problem, and an object of the present disclosure is toprovide a high-frequency front end module and a communication devicewhich are reduced in size and in which CA of two-uplink two-downlink canbe performed.

In order to achieve the above-described object, a high-frequency frontend module according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosureis a high-frequency front end module for executing two-uplink in which asignal in a first transmission band included in a first frequency bandand a signal in a second transmission band included in a secondfrequency band which is different from the first frequency band aresimultaneously transmitted, and two-downlink in which a signal in afirst reception band included in the first frequency band and a signalin a second reception band included in the second frequency band aresimultaneously received, the high-frequency front end module includes: aprimary antenna and a secondary antenna; a first multiplexer and asecond multiplexer; and a first switch circuit having a first terminal,a second terminal, a third terminal, and a fourth terminal, in which thefirst multiplexer has a first transmission filter which takes the firsttransmission band as a pass band and a first reception filter whichtakes the first reception band as a pass band, and does not have atransmission filter which takes the second transmission band as a passband, the second multiplexer has a second transmission filter whichtakes the second transmission band as a pass band and a second receptionfilter which takes the second reception band as a pass band, and doesnot have a transmission filter which takes the first transmission bandas a pass band, the first terminal is connected to the primary antenna,the second terminal is connected to the secondary antenna, the thirdterminal is connected to an output terminal of the first transmissionfilter and an input terminal of the first reception filter, and thefourth terminal is connected to an output terminal of the secondtransmission filter and an input terminal of the second receptionfilter.

In an existing system including a CA mode in which high-frequencysignals in the first frequency band and the second frequency band whichare two different bands are simultaneously used, in order to ensuresignal quality such as isolation and the like of two high-frequencysignals simultaneously transmitted/received, two antenna elements, suchas a primary antenna which is preferentially used and a secondaryantenna which is secondarily used, are disposed. In this case, becauseof necessity of making it possible to transmit/receive each of thehigh-frequency signals in the first frequency band and the secondfrequency band even by any of the antennas, a transmission path and areception path of the first frequency band and a transmission path and areception path of the second frequency band are connected to the primaryantenna, and a transmission path and a reception path of the firstfrequency band and a transmission path and a reception path of thesecond frequency band are connected and disposed also to the secondaryantenna. A filter for selectively allowing the desired frequency band topass therethrough is disposed in each signal path, and in the existingconfiguration, it is necessary to connect four filters of a transmissionfilter and a reception filter of the first frequency band and atransmission filter and a reception filter of the second frequency bandto each of the primary antenna and the secondary antenna, whichincreases the circuit in size.

In contrast, according to the above-described configuration, bydisposing the first switch circuit, it is possible to arbitrarilydistribute the high-frequency signals in the first frequency band andthe second frequency band to the primary antenna and the secondaryantenna, and execute CA of two-uplink two-downlink. Therefore, in thefirst multiplexer connected to one of the antennas, one of the twotransmission filters of the first frequency band and the secondfrequency band can be reduced. In the same manner, in the secondmultiplexer, the other of the two transmission filters of the firstfrequency band and the second frequency band can be reduced. That is,two or more filters can be reduced as compared with the existingconfiguration. In this configuration, one switch circuit of a two-inputtwo-output type is added, but the switch circuit is sufficiently smallerthan the filter. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a small-sizedhigh-frequency front end module in which CA of two-uplink two-downlinkcan be performed.

Furthermore, in the first switch circuit, conduction between the thirdterminal and the first terminal and conduction between the thirdterminal and the second terminal may be exclusively switched, andconduction between the fourth terminal and the first terminal andconduction between the fourth terminal and the second terminal may beexclusively switched.

According to this configuration, by switching the connection state ofthe first switch circuit, it is possible to arbitrarily distribute thehigh-frequency signals in the first frequency band and the secondfrequency band to the primary antenna and the secondary antenna, andexecute CA of two-uplink two-downlink. Therefore, in the firstmultiplexer connected to one of the antennas, one of the twotransmission filters of the first frequency band and the secondfrequency band can be reduced. In the same manner, in the secondmultiplexer, the other of the two transmission filters of the firstfrequency band and the second frequency band can be reduced.

Furthermore, the first multiplexer may not have a filter which takes thesecond reception band as a pass band, and the second multiplexer may nothave a filter which takes the first reception band as a pass band.

According to this configuration, in the first multiplexer connected toone of the antennas, the transmission filter and the reception filter ofone of the first frequency band and the second frequency band can bereduced. Additionally, in the second multiplexer connected to the otherof the antennas, the transmission filter and the reception filter of theother of the first frequency band and the second frequency band can bereduced. That is, four or more filters can be reduced as compared withthe existing configuration. Accordingly, it is possible to provide asmaller-sized high-frequency front end module in which CA of two-uplinktwo-downlink can be performed.

Furthermore, in a case where the two-uplink and the two-downlink areperformed in the first frequency band and the second frequency band, andin a case where one-uplink in which only one of a signal in the firsttransmission band and a signal in the second transmission band istransmitted and the two-downlink in the first frequency band and thesecond frequency band are performed, one of a first connection state inwhich the third terminal and the first terminal are conductive to eachother and the fourth terminal and the second terminal are conductive toeach other, and a second connection state in which the third terminaland the second terminal are conductive to each other and the fourthterminal and the first terminal are conductive to each other may beselected.

According to this configuration, for example, in the case of two-uplinktwo-downlink, a frequency band to be transmitted/received by the primaryantenna can be arbitrarily selected. Additionally, for example, in thecase of one-uplink two-downlink, even in a mode in which ahigh-frequency signal in any of frequency bands is transmitted, a signalpath for transporting a signal in a frequency band to be transmitted andreceived can be connected to the primary antenna, and a signal path fortransporting a signal in a frequency band only for reception can beconnected to the secondary antenna.

Furthermore, the first multiplexer may further have a fourth receptionfilter which takes the second reception band as a pass band, and thesecond multiplexer may further have a third reception filter which takesthe first reception band as a pass band.

According to this configuration, since the first multiplexer has thefirst reception filter corresponding to the first frequency band and thefourth reception filter corresponding to the second frequency band, in acase of one-uplink two-downlink in which a high-frequency signal in thefirst frequency band is transmitted, for example, only one of theprimary antenna and the secondary antenna may be used. Additionally,since the second multiplexer has the third reception filtercorresponding to the first frequency band and the second receptionfilter corresponding to the second frequency band, in a case ofone-uplink two-downlink in which a high-frequency signal in the secondfrequency band is transmitted, for example, only one of the primaryantenna and the secondary antenna may be used. Accordingly, it ispossible to simplify the CA operation of one-uplink two-downlink.

Furthermore, in a case where the two-uplink and the two-downlink areperformed in the first frequency band and the second frequency band, oneof a first connection state in which the third terminal and the firstterminal are conductive to each other and the fourth terminal and thesecond terminal are conductive to each other, and a second connectionstate in which the third terminal and the second terminal are conductiveto each other and the fourth terminal and the first terminal areconductive to each other may be selected, in a case of one-uplinktwo-downlink in which transmission in the first frequency band isperformed and a signal in the first reception band and a signal in thesecond reception band are simultaneously received, one of a thirdconnection state in which the third terminal and the first terminal areconductive to each other, and a fourth connection state in which thethird terminal and the second terminal are conductive to each other maybe selected, and in a case of one-uplink two-downlink in whichtransmission in the second frequency band is performed and a signal inthe first reception band and a signal in the second reception band aresimultaneously received, one of a fifth connection state in which thefourth terminal and the first terminal are conductive to each other, anda sixth connection state in which the fourth terminal and the secondterminal are conductive to each other may be selected.

According to this configuration, in the case of one-uplink two-downlink,only one of the primary antenna and the secondary antenna may be used.Accordingly, it is possible to simplify the CA operation of one-uplinktwo-downlink.

Furthermore, a second switch circuit having a fifth terminal, a sixthterminal, a seventh terminal, and an eighth terminal, a first amplifierwhose output terminal is connected to an input terminal of the firsttransmission filter, and a second amplifier whose output terminal isconnected to an input terminal of the second transmission filter mayfurther be included, the fifth terminal may be connected to an inputterminal of the first amplifier, the sixth terminal may be connected toan input terminal of the second amplifier, a signal for the primaryantenna may be inputted to the seventh terminal, a signal for thesecondary antenna may be inputted to the eighth terminal, and in thesecond switch circuit, conduction between the seventh terminal and thefifth terminal may be selected in a case where conduction between thethird terminal and the first terminal is selected, conduction betweenthe eighth terminal and the fifth terminal may be selected in a casewhere conduction between the third terminal and the second terminal isselected, conduction between the seventh terminal and the sixth terminalmay be selected in a case where conduction between the fourth terminaland the first terminal is selected, and conduction between the eighthterminal and the sixth terminal may be selected in a case whereconduction between the fourth terminal and the second terminal isselected.

According to this configuration, since the second switch circuitachieves the connection state corresponding to the connection state ofthe first switch circuit, it is possible to output or input a signal forthe primary antenna and a signal for the secondary antenna withoutchanging terminal arrangement of a high-frequency signal processingcircuit (RFIC) that outputs a high-frequency signal to thehigh-frequency front end module and to which the high-frequency signalfrom the high-frequency front end module is inputted, for example.Accordingly, it is possible to simplify the circuit configurations ofthe high-frequency front end circuit and the peripheral circuitsthereof. In addition, in the existing configuration, it is necessary toprovide a switch for switching connection between a transmissionamplifier and a plurality of transmission filters included in amultiplexer, but in this configuration, since each of the firstmultiplexer and the second multiplexer has only the transmission filterof one of the first frequency band and the second frequency band, theswitch that is necessary in the existing configuration becomesunnecessary. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a small-sized andsimplified high-frequency front end module in which CA of two-uplinktwo-downlink can be performed.

Furthermore, two-uplink in which two transmission signals among atransmission signal in the first transmission band included in the firstfrequency band, a transmission signal in the second transmission bandincluded in the second frequency band which is different from the firstfrequency band, and a transmission signal in a third transmission bandincluded in a third frequency band which is different from the firstfrequency band and the second frequency band are simultaneouslytransmitted, and two-downlink in which two reception signals among areception signal in the first reception band included in the firstfrequency band, a reception signal in the second reception band includedin the second frequency band, and a reception signal in a thirdreception band included in the third frequency band are simultaneouslyreceived may be executed, the first multiplexer may further have a fifthtransmission filter which takes the third transmission band as a passband and a fifth reception filter which takes the third reception bandas a pass band, and the second multiplexer may further have a sixthtransmission filter which takes the third transmission band as a passband and a sixth reception filter which takes the third reception bandas a pass band.

In an existing system including a CA mode in which two high-frequencysignals among high-frequency signals in the first frequency band, thesecond frequency band, and the third frequency band which are threedifferent bands are simultaneously used, in order to ensure signalquality such as isolation and the like of two high-frequency signalssimultaneously transmitted/received, two antenna elements, such as aprimary antenna which is preferentially used and a secondary antennawhich is secondarily used, are disposed. In this case, because ofnecessity of making it possible to transmit/receive each of thehigh-frequency signals in the first frequency band, the second frequencyband, and the third frequency band even by any of the antennas, atransmission path and a reception path of the first frequency band, atransmission path and a reception path of the second frequency band, anda transmission path and a reception path of the third frequency band areconnected to the primary antenna, and transmission paths and receptionpaths are connected and disposed also to the secondary antenna in thesame manner. That is, in the existing configuration, it is necessary toconnect transmission filters and reception filters (six filters intotal) of the first frequency band, the second frequency band, and thethird frequency band to each of the primary antenna and the secondaryantenna, which increases the circuit in size.

In contrast, according to the above-described configuration, byswitching the connection state of the first switch circuit, it ispossible to arbitrarily distribute the high-frequency signals in thefirst frequency band, the second frequency band, and the third frequencyband to the primary antenna and the secondary antenna, and execute CA oftwo-uplink two-downlink. Therefore, in the first multiplexer connectedto one of the antennas, for example, the transmission filter of thesecond frequency band can be reduced. In the same manner, in the secondmultiplexer, for example, the transmission filter of the first frequencyband can be reduced. That is, two or more filters can be reduced ascompared with the existing configuration. In this configuration, oneswitch circuit of a two-input two-output type is added, but the switchcircuit is sufficiently smaller than the filter. Accordingly, it ispossible to provide a small-sized high-frequency front end module inwhich CA of two-uplink two-downlink can be performed.

Furthermore, among a transmission signal in the first transmission bandincluded in the first frequency band, a transmission signal in thesecond transmission band included in the second frequency band which isdifferent from the first frequency band, and a transmission signal in athird transmission band included in a third frequency band which isdifferent from the first frequency band and the second frequency band,(1) two-uplink of the transmission signal in the first transmission bandand the transmission signal in the second transmission band, and (2)two-uplink of the transmission signal in the first transmission band andthe transmission signal in the third transmission band may be executed,among a reception signal in the first reception band included in thefirst frequency band, a reception signal in the second reception bandincluded in the second frequency band, and a reception signal in a thirdreception band which is included in the third frequency band andincludes the second reception band, (3) two-downlink of the receptionsignal in the first reception band and the reception signal in thesecond reception band, and (4) two-downlink of the reception signal inthe first reception band and the reception signal in the third receptionband may be executed, the first multiplexer may further have a fourthreception filter which takes the third reception band as a pass band,the second multiplexer may further have a third reception filter whichtakes the first reception band as a pass band, and a sixth transmissionfilter which takes the third transmission band as a pass band, and thesecond reception filter may take, as a pass band, the third receptionband which includes the second reception band.

According to the above-described configuration, since the firstmultiplexer does not have transmission filters of the second frequencyband and the third frequency band and a reception filter of the secondfrequency band, and the second multiplexer does not have a transmissionfilter of the first frequency band and a reception filter dedicated tothe second frequency band, it is possible to provide a small-sizedhigh-frequency front end module in which CA of two-uplink two-downlinkof three bands including two bands in an overlapping relationship can beperformed.

Furthermore, the high-frequency front end module may (1) execute thetwo-uplink and the two-downlink of the first frequency band and thesecond frequency band, and (2) be capable of executing two-uplinktwo-downlink in which a high-frequency signal in a fourth frequency bandwhich is different from the first frequency band and the secondfrequency band, and a high-frequency signal in a fifth frequency bandwhich is different from the first frequency band, the second frequencyband, and the fourth frequency band are simultaneously transmitted andsimultaneously received, the first frequency band may be a band 66 ofLTE (Long Term Evolution), the second frequency band may be a band 25 ofLTE, the fourth frequency band may be a band 1 of LTE, and the fifthfrequency band may be a band 3 of LTE.

According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a small-sizedhigh-frequency front end module to which the bands 66, 25, 1, and 3 ofLTE are applied and in which CA of two-uplink two-downlink of the band66 and the band 25, and two-uplink two-downlink of the band 1 and theband 3 can be performed.

Furthermore, the high-frequency front end module may (1) execute thetwo-uplink and the two-downlink of the first frequency band and thesecond frequency band, and (2) be capable of executing two-uplinktwo-downlink in which a high-frequency signal in a fourth frequency bandwhich is different from the first frequency band and the secondfrequency band, and a high-frequency signal in a fifth frequency bandwhich is different from the first frequency band, the second frequencyband, and the fourth frequency band are simultaneously transmitted andsimultaneously received, the first frequency band may be a band 1 ofLTE, the second frequency band may be a band 3 of LTE, the fourthfrequency band may be a band 66 of LTE, and the fifth frequency band maybe a band 25 of LTE.

According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a small-sizedhigh-frequency front end module to which the bands 66, 25, 1, and 3 ofLTE are applied and in which CA of two-uplink two-downlink of the band66 and the band 25, and two-uplink two-downlink of the band 1 and theband 3 can be performed.

Furthermore, a communication device according to a preferred embodimentof the present disclosure includes: the high-frequency front end moduleaccording to any one of those described above, and an RF signalprocessing circuit configured to process a high-frequency signaltransmitted and received by the high-frequency front end module.

According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a small-sizedcommunication device in which CA of two-uplink two-downlink can beperformed.

Other features, elements, characteristics and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure withreference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a circuit configuration diagram of a communication deviceaccording to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 2 is a circuit state diagram in CA of a high-frequency front endmodule according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 3 is a circuit configuration diagram of a high-frequency front endmodule according to Comparative Example 1;

FIG. 4A is a circuit configuration diagram of a communication deviceaccording to Modification 1 of Embodiment 1;

FIG. 4B is a circuit state diagram in a case of two-uplink two-downlinkof a high-frequency front end module according to Modification 1 ofEmbodiment 1;

FIG. 4C is a circuit state diagram in a case of one-uplink two-downlinkof the high-frequency front end module according to Modification 1 ofEmbodiment 1;

FIG. 5 is a circuit configuration diagram of a communication deviceaccording to Modification 2 of Embodiment 1;

FIG. 6 is a circuit configuration diagram of a communication deviceaccording to Embodiment 2;

FIG. 7A is a circuit state diagram in a case of two-uplink two-downlinkof a high-frequency front end module according to Embodiment 2;

FIG. 7B is a circuit state diagram in a case of one-uplink two-downlinkof the high-frequency front end module according to Embodiment 2;

FIG. 8 is a circuit configuration diagram of a high-frequency front endmodule according to Comparative Example 2;

FIG. 9 is a circuit configuration diagram of a communication deviceaccording to Modification of Embodiment 2;

FIG. 10A is a circuit state diagram in a case of two-uplink two-downlinkof a high-frequency front end module according to Modification ofEmbodiment 2;

FIG. 10B is a circuit state diagram in a case of one-uplink (Band A)two-downlink of the high-frequency front end module according toModification of Embodiment 2;

FIG. 11 is a circuit configuration diagram of a communication deviceaccording to Embodiment 3;

FIG. 12A is a circuit state diagram in a case of two-uplink (B66/B25)two-downlink of a high-frequency front end module according toEmbodiment 3;

FIG. 12B is a circuit state diagram in a case of two-uplink (B1/B3)two-downlink of the high-frequency front end module according toEmbodiment 3;

FIG. 12C is a circuit state diagram in a case of one-uplink (B66)two-downlink of the high-frequency front end module according toEmbodiment 3;

FIG. 13 is a circuit configuration diagram of a high-frequency front endmodule according to Comparative Example 3;

FIG. 14 is a circuit configuration diagram of a communication deviceaccording to Modification 1 of Embodiment 3;

FIG. 15A is a circuit state diagram in a case of two-uplink (B66/B25)two-downlink of a high-frequency front end module according toModification 1 of Embodiment 3;

FIG. 15B is a circuit state diagram in a case of two-uplink (B1/B3)two-downlink of the high-frequency front end module according toModification 1 of Embodiment 3;

FIG. 16 is a circuit configuration diagram of a high-frequency front endmodule according to Modification 2 of Embodiment 3;

FIG. 17A is a circuit state diagram in a case of one-uplink (B1)two-downlink of the high-frequency front end module according toModification 2 of Embodiment 3;

FIG. 17B is a circuit state diagram in a case of one-uplink (B3)two-downlink of the high-frequency front end module according toModification 2 of Embodiment 3;

FIG. 17C is a circuit state diagram in a case of one-uplink (B25)two-downlink of the high-frequency front end module according toModification 2 of Embodiment 3;

FIG. 17D is a circuit state diagram in a case of one-uplink (B66)two-downlink of the high-frequency front end module according toModification 2 of Embodiment 3;

FIG. 17E is a circuit state diagram in a case of two-uplink (B1/B3)two-downlink of the high-frequency front end module according toModification 2 of Embodiment 3; and

FIG. 17F is a circuit state diagram in a case of two-uplink (B66/B25)two-downlink of the high-frequency front end module according toModification 2 of Embodiment 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described indetail using working examples and the drawings. It should be noted thatall embodiments described below indicate comprehensive or specificexamples. Numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements,arrangement and connection forms of the constituent elements, and thelike, which will be described in the following embodiments, areexamples, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.Constituent elements which are not described in independent claims amongthe constituent elements in the following embodiments are described asarbitrary constituent elements. In addition, sizes or size ratios of theconstituent elements illustrated in the drawings are not necessarilystrict.

Embodiment 1 1.1 Configurations of High-Frequency Front End Module 2Aand Communication Device 1A

FIG. 1 is a circuit configuration diagram of a communication device 1Aaccording to Embodiment 1. As illustrated in the diagram, thecommunication device 1A includes a high-frequency front end module 2A,an RF signal processing circuit (RFIC) 3, and a baseband signalprocessing circuit (BBIC) 4.

The RFIC 3 is an RF signal processing circuit that processes ahigh-frequency signal transmitted/received through an antenna of thehigh-frequency front end module 2A. Specifically, the RFIC 3 performssignal processing on a high-frequency reception signal inputted throughthe high-frequency front end module 2A by down-conversion or the like,and outputs a reception signal generated by the signal processing to theBBIC 4. Furthermore, the RFIC 3 performs signal processing on atransmission signal inputted from the BBIC 4 by up-conversion or thelike, and outputs a high-frequency transmission signal generated by thesignal processing to the transmission-side signal path of thehigh-frequency front end module 2A.

The BBIC 4 is a circuit that performs signal processing by using anintermediate frequency band having a lower frequency than that of ahigh-frequency signal propagating in the high-frequency front end module2A. A signal processed by the BBIC 4 is used, for example, as an imagesignal for image display, or is used as a voice signal for a callthrough a speaker.

Furthermore, the RFIC 3 also has a function as a control unit thatcontrols the connection of a switch circuit (described later) includedin the high-frequency front end module 2A on the basis of a band(frequency band) to be used. Specifically, the RFIC 3 switches theconnection of the switch circuit included in the high-frequency frontend module 2A by a control signal (not illustrated). Note that thecontrol unit may be provided outside the RFIC 3, or may be provided in,for example, the high-frequency front end module 2A or the BBIC 4.

Next, the detailed configuration of the high-frequency front end module2A will be described.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the high-frequency front end module 2Aincludes a primary antenna 11 and a secondary antenna 12, switchcircuits 20 and 50, transmission filters 31T and 32T, reception filters31R and 32R, and transmission amplifiers 41 and 42.

According to the configuration described above, the high-frequency frontend module 2A can execute two-uplink in which a signal in a firsttransmission band (A-Tx) included in a first frequency band (Band A) anda signal in a second transmission band (B-Tx) included in a secondfrequency band (Band B) which is different from the first frequency bandare simultaneously transmitted, and two-downlink in which a signal in afirst reception band (A-Rx) included in the first frequency band (BandA) and a signal in a second reception band (B-Rx) included in the secondfrequency band (Band B) are simultaneously received.

The primary antenna 11 is an antenna that is used in preference to thesecondary antenna 12 in terms of antenna performance and the like, andis an antenna element capable of transmitting and receiving signals inBand A and Band B. Furthermore, the secondary antenna 12 is an antennaelement capable of transmitting and receiving signals in Band A and BandB.

The transmission filter 31T is a first transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the transmission amplifier 41, whose outputterminal is connected to the switch circuit 20, and which takes A-Tx asa pass band.

The transmission filter 32T is a second transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the transmission amplifier 42, whose outputterminal is connected to the switch circuit 20, and which takes B-Tx asa pass band.

The reception filter 31R is a first reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the switch circuit 20, and which takes A-Rx asa pass band.

The reception filter 32R is a second reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the switch circuit 20, and which takes B-Rx asa pass band.

The transmission filter 31T and the reception filter 31R constitute afirst multiplexer that selectively transmits and receives ahigh-frequency signal in Band A. Note that the first multiplexer doesnot have a transmission filter which takes B-Tx as a pass band.Furthermore, the first multiplexer does not have a reception filterwhich takes B-Rx as a pass band.

The transmission filter 32T and the reception filter 32R constitute asecond multiplexer that selectively transmits and receives ahigh-frequency signal in Band B. Note that the second multiplexer doesnot have a transmission filter which takes A-Tx as a pass band.Furthermore, the second multiplexer does not have a reception filterwhich takes A-Rx as a pass band.

Note that in the present specification, the first multiplexer and thesecond multiplexer are each defined as a portion including a duplexer inwhich the output terminal of the transmission filter and the inputterminal of the reception filter are commonly connected at the switchcircuit 20, as in the present embodiment.

The switch circuit 20 is a first switch circuit having a terminal 20 a(third terminal), a terminal 20 b (fourth terminal), a terminal 20 c(first terminal), and a terminal 20 d (second terminal).

The terminal 20 c is connected to the primary antenna 11, and theterminal 20 d is connected to the secondary antenna 12. Furthermore, theterminal 20 a is connected to the output terminal of the transmissionfilter 31T and the input terminal of the reception filter 31R, and theterminal 20 b is connected to the output terminal of the transmissionfilter 32T and the input terminal of the reception filter 32R.

In the switch circuit 20, conduction between the terminal 20 a and theterminal 20 c and conduction between the terminal 20 a and the terminal20 d are exclusively switched, and conduction between the terminal 20 band the terminal 20 c and conduction between the terminal 20 b and theterminal 20 d are exclusively switched.

Note that in the switch circuit, “conduction between a terminal A and aterminal B and conduction between a terminal C and a terminal D areexclusively switched” means that (1) in a state in which the terminal Aand the terminal B are conductive to each other, the terminal C and theterminal D are non-conductive to each other, and (2) in a state in whichthe terminal C and the terminal D are conductive to each other, theterminal A and the terminal B are non-conductive to each other.

The switch circuit 20 is, for example, a DPDT (Double Pole Double Throw)type switch circuit having the terminals 20 a and 20 b, and theterminals 20 c and 20 d. Note that the switch circuit 20 may be a switchcircuit of a DP3T type, a DP4T type, or the like, and in this case,necessary terminals may be used in accordance with the number of bandsto be used.

The high-frequency front end module 2A includes the primary antenna 11and the secondary antenna 12, the switch circuit 20, the firstmultiplexer, and the second multiplexer described above, thereby makingit possible to arbitrarily distribute high-frequency signals in Band Aand Band B to the primary antenna 11 and the secondary antenna 12 byswitching the connection state of the switch circuit 20, and execute CAof two-uplink two-downlink. Here, since the first multiplexer does nothave a transmission filter and a reception filter of Band B, and thesecond multiplexer does not have a transmission filter and a receptionfilter of Band A, it is possible to provide the high-frequency front endmodule 2A which is reduced in size and in which CA of two-uplinktwo-downlink can be performed.

Note that the high-frequency front end module 2A can execute so-calledone-uplink two-downlink CA in which only one of a high-frequency signalin Band A and a high-frequency signal in Band B is transmitted and ahigh-frequency signal in Band A and a high-frequency signal in Band Bare simultaneously received by the above-described configuration.

The transmission amplifier 41 is a first amplifier whose output terminalis connected to the input terminal of the transmission filter 31T, andis a power amplifier constituted by a transistor or the like, forexample. Furthermore, the transmission amplifier 42 is a secondamplifier whose output terminal is connected to the input terminal ofthe transmission filter 32T, and is a power amplifier constituted by atransistor or the like, for example.

The switch circuit 50 is a second switch circuit having a terminal 50 a(seventh terminal), a terminal 50 b (eighth terminal), a terminal 50 c(fifth terminal), and a terminal 50 d (sixth terminal).

The terminal 50 c is connected to an input terminal of the transmissionamplifier 41, and the terminal 50 d is connected to an input terminal ofthe transmission amplifier 42. Furthermore, the terminal 50 a isconnected to an output terminal 3 a of the RFIC 3, and a transmissionsignal for the primary antenna 11 is inputted thereto. Furthermore, theterminal 50 b is connected to an output terminal 3 b of the RFIC 3, anda transmission signal for the secondary antenna 12 is inputted thereto.

In the switch circuit 50, when conduction between the terminal 20 a andthe terminal 20 c of the switch circuit 20 is selected, conductionbetween the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 c is selected, and whenconduction between the terminal 20 a and the terminal 20 d of the switchcircuit 20 is selected, conduction between the terminal 50 b and theterminal 50 c is selected. Furthermore, when conduction between theterminal 20 b and the terminal 20 c of the switch circuit 20 isselected, conduction between the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 d isselected, and when conduction between the terminal 20 b and the terminal20 d of the switch circuit 20 is selected, conduction between theterminal 50 b and the terminal 50 d is selected.

The switch circuit 50 is, for example, a DPDT type switch circuit havingthe terminals 50 a and 50 b, and the terminals 50 c and 50 d. Note thatthe switch circuit 50 may be a switch circuit of a DP3T type, a DP4Ttype, or the like, and in this case, necessary terminals may be used inaccordance with the number of bands to be used.

With this configuration, since the switch circuit 50 achieves aconnection state corresponding to a connection state of the switchcircuit 20, it is possible to output or input a signal for the primaryantenna 11 and a signal for the secondary antenna 12 without changingterminal arrangement of the RFIC 3. Accordingly, it is possible tosimplify the circuit configurations of the high-frequency front endmodule 2A and the communication device 1A.

Note that the RFIC 3 may be constituted of two RF signal processingcircuits, for example, may be constituted of a circuit that processes asignal for Band A and a circuit that processes a signal for Band B, ormay be constituted of a circuit that processes a signal for the primaryantenna 11 and a circuit that processes a signal for the secondaryantenna 12.

1.2 Connection State of High-Frequency Front End Module 2A

FIG. 2 is a circuit state diagram in CA of the high-frequency front endmodule 2A according to Embodiment 1. This diagram illustrates a circuitconnection state in (1) a case of two-uplink of Band A and Band B andtwo-downlink of Band A and Band B (mode 1: two-uplink two-downlink), and(2) a case of one-uplink of Band A or Band B and two-downlink of Band Aand Band B (mode 2: one-uplink two-downlink).

In both the mode 1 and the mode 2, as illustrated in FIG. 2, by thecontrol unit, the terminal 20 a and the terminal 20 c are connected toeach other, and the terminal 20 b and the terminal 20 d are connected toeach other, in the switch circuit 20 (first connection state).Furthermore, the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 c are connected toeach other, and the terminal 50 b and the terminal 50 d are connected toeach other, in the switch circuit 50.

In this connection state, in the mode 1, a transmission signal in one ofBand A and Band B is transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, theswitch circuit 50, the transmission amplifier 41, the first multiplexer,the switch circuit 20, and the primary antenna 11, and a transmissionsignal in the other of Band A and Band B is transmitted through theoutput terminal 3 b, the switch circuit 50, the transmission amplifier42, the second multiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and the secondaryantenna 12. Furthermore, a reception signal in one of Band A and Band Bis received by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna 11, the switchcircuit 20, and the first multiplexer, and a reception signal in theother of Band A and Band B is received by the RFIC 3 through thesecondary antenna 12, the switch circuit 20, and the second multiplexer.

Furthermore, in the mode 2, when a transmission signal in one of Band Aand Band B is transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switchcircuit 50, the transmission amplifier 41, the first multiplexer, theswitch circuit 20, and the primary antenna 11, a reception signal in oneof Band A and Band B is received by the RFIC 3 through the primaryantenna 11, the switch circuit 20, and the first multiplexer, and areception signal in the other of Band A and Band B is received by theRFIC 3 through the secondary antenna 12, the switch circuit 20, and thesecond multiplexer.

Alternatively, in both the mode 1 and the mode 2, as illustrated in FIG.2, by the control unit, the terminal 20 a and the terminal 20 d areconnected to each other, and the terminal 20 b and the terminal 20 c areconnected to each other, in the switch circuit 20 (second connectionstate). Furthermore, the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 d areconnected to each other, and the terminal 50 b and the terminal 50 c areconnected to each other, in the switch circuit 50.

In this connection state, in the mode 1, a transmission signal in one ofBand A and Band B is transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, theswitch circuit 50, the transmission amplifier 42, the secondmultiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and the primary antenna 11, and atransmission signal in the other of Band A and Band B is transmittedthrough the output terminal 3 b, the switch circuit 50, the transmissionamplifier 41, the first multiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and thesecondary antenna 12. Furthermore, a reception signal in one of Band Aand Band B is received by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna 11, theswitch circuit 20, and the second multiplexer, and a reception signal inthe other of Band A and Band B is received by the RFIC 3 through thesecondary antenna 12, the switch circuit 20, and the first multiplexer.

Furthermore, in the mode 2, when a transmission signal in one of Band Aand Band B is transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switchcircuit 50, the transmission amplifier 42, the second multiplexer, theswitch circuit 20, and the primary antenna 11, a reception signal in oneof Band A and Band B is received by the RFIC 3 through the primaryantenna 11, the switch circuit 20, and the second multiplexer, and areception signal in the other of Band A and Band B is received by theRFIC 3 through the secondary antenna 12, the switch circuit 20, and thefirst multiplexer.

1.3 Comparison of High-Frequency Front End Modules According toEmbodiment 1 and Comparative Example 1

FIG. 3 is a circuit configuration diagram of a high-frequency front endmodule 502 according to Comparative Example 1. Note that the diagramalso illustrates the RFIC 3 connected to the high-frequency front endmodule 502 according to Comparative Example 1. As illustrated in thediagram, the high-frequency front end module 502 includes a primarycircuit 502 a and a secondary circuit 502 b. The primary circuit 502 aincludes the primary antenna 11, a switch circuit 561, transmissionfilters 31T1 and 32T1, reception filters 31R1 and 32R1, and thetransmission amplifier 41. The transmission filters 31T1 and 32T1 andthe reception filters 31R1 and 32R1 constitute a first multiplexer. Thesecondary circuit 502 b includes the secondary antenna 12, a switchcircuit 562, transmission filters 31T2 and 32T2, reception filters 31R2and 32R2, and the transmission amplifier 42. The transmission filters31T2 and 32T2 and the reception filters 31R2 and 32R2 constitute asecond multiplexer. The high-frequency front end module 502 according toComparative Example 1 is different from the high-frequency front endmodule 2A according to Embodiment 1 in the configurations of the firstmultiplexer, the second multiplexer, and the switch circuits.Hereinafter, the high-frequency front end module 502 according toComparative Example 1 will be described focusing on the differences fromthe high-frequency front end module 2A according to Embodiment 1.

The switch circuit 561 is an SPDT (Single Pole Double Throw) type switchcircuit having a common terminal 561 a and selection terminals 561 c and561 d. The common terminal 561 a is connected to the output terminal ofthe transmission amplifier 41. The switch circuit 562 is an SPDT typeswitch circuit having a common terminal 562 a and selection terminals562 c and 562 d. The common terminal 562 a is connected to the outputterminal of the transmission amplifier 42.

The transmission filter 31T1 is a transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 561 c, whose outputterminal is connected to the primary antenna 11, and which takes A-Tx asa pass band.

The transmission filter 32T1 is a transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 561 d, whose outputterminal is connected to the primary antenna 11, and which takes B-Tx asa pass band.

The reception filter 31R1 is a reception filter whose input terminal isconnected to the primary antenna 11, and which takes A-Rx as a passband.

The reception filter 32R1 is a reception filter whose input terminal isconnected to the primary antenna 11, and which takes B-Rx as a passband.

The transmission filter 31T2 is a transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 562 c, whose outputterminal is connected to the secondary antenna 12, and which takes A-Txas a pass band.

The transmission filter 32T2 is a transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 562 d, whose outputterminal is connected to the secondary antenna 12, and which takes B-Txas a pass band.

The reception filter 31R2 is a reception filter whose input terminal isconnected to the secondary antenna 12, and which takes A-Rx as a passband.

The reception filter 32R2 is a reception filter whose input terminal isconnected to the secondary antenna 12, and which takes B-Rx as a passband.

According to the configuration described above, the high-frequency frontend module 502 can execute two-uplink in which a signal in the firsttransmission band (A-Tx) included in Band A and a signal in the secondtransmission band (B-Tx) included in Band B are simultaneouslytransmitted, and two-downlink in which a signal in the first receptionband (A-Rx) included in Band A and a signal in the second reception band(B-Rx) included in Band B are simultaneously received.

For example, in a state in which the common terminal 561 a and theselection terminal 561 c are connected to each other and the commonterminal 562 a and the selection terminal 562 d are connected to eachother, a transmission signal in Band A is transmitted through the outputterminal 3 a, the transmission amplifier 41, the first multiplexer, andthe primary antenna 11, and a transmission signal in Band B istransmitted through the output terminal 3 b, the transmission amplifier42, the second multiplexer, and the secondary antenna 12. Furthermore, areception signal in Band A is received by the RFIC 3 through the primaryantenna 11 and the first multiplexer, and a reception signal in Band Bis received by the RFIC 3 through the secondary antenna 12 and thesecond multiplexer.

Furthermore, in a state in which the common terminal 561 a and theselection terminal 561 d are connected to each other and the commonterminal 562 a and the selection terminal 562 c are connected to eachother, a transmission signal in Band B is transmitted through the outputterminal 3 a, the transmission amplifier 41, the first multiplexer, andthe primary antenna 11, and a transmission signal in Band A istransmitted through the output terminal 3 b, the transmission amplifier42, the second multiplexer, and the secondary antenna 12. Furthermore, areception signal in Band B is received by the RFIC 3 through the primaryantenna 11 and the first multiplexer, and a reception signal in Band Ais received by the RFIC 3 through the secondary antenna 12 and thesecond multiplexer.

In the high-frequency front end module 502 according to ComparativeExample 1, in order to ensure signal quality such as isolation and thelike of high-frequency signals in Band A and Band B simultaneouslytransmitted/received, two antenna elements, such as the primary antenna11 which is preferentially used and the secondary antenna 12 which issecondarily used, are disposed. In this case, because of necessity ofmaking it possible to transmit/receive each of the high-frequencysignals in Band A and Band B even by any of the antennas, a transmissionpath and a reception path of Band A and a transmission path and areception path of Band B are connected to the primary antenna 11, and atransmission path and a reception path of Band A and a transmission pathand a reception path of Band B are connected and disposed also to thesecondary antenna 12. A filter for selectively allowing a desiredfrequency band to pass therethrough is arranged in each signal path, andin the configuration of the high-frequency front end module 502according to Comparative Example 1, four filters of the transmissionfilters 31T1 and 32T1 and the reception filters 31R1 and 32R1 areconnected to the primary antenna 11. Furthermore, four filters of thetransmission filters 31T2 and 32T2 and the reception filters 31R2 and32R2 are connected to the secondary antenna 12. That is, in the frontend module to which the primary antenna 11 and the secondary antenna 12are applied, in order to achieve two-uplink two-downlink of the twofrequency bands of Band A and Band B, a total of eight filters arerequired, and the circuit is enlarged.

In contrast, the high-frequency front end module 2A according to thepresent embodiment includes the primary antenna 11 and the secondaryantenna 12, the switch circuit 20, the first multiplexer, and the secondmultiplexer, thereby making it possible to arbitrarily distributehigh-frequency signals in Band A and Band B to the primary antenna 11and the secondary antenna 12 by switching the connection state of theswitch circuit 20, and execute CA of two-uplink two-downlink. Therefore,in the first multiplexer connected to one of the antennas, thetransmission filter of Band B can be reduced. In the same manner, in thesecond multiplexer connected to the other of the antennas, thetransmission filter of Band A can be reduced. That is, two or morefilters can be reduced as compared with the configuration of thehigh-frequency front end module 502 according to Comparative Example 1.

In the configuration of the high-frequency front end module 2A accordingto the present embodiment, in comparison with the high-frequency frontend module 502 according to Comparative Example 1, the one switchcircuit 20 of a two-input two-output type is added, but the switchcircuit 20 is sufficiently smaller than the transmission filter and thereception filter. Accordingly, it is possible to provide thehigh-frequency front end module 2A which is reduced in size and in whichCA of two-uplink two-downlink can be performed.

Furthermore, in the high-frequency front end module 2A according to thepresent embodiment, by including the primary antenna 11 and thesecondary antenna 12, the switch circuit 20, the first multiplexer, andthe second multiplexer, even in the case of one-uplink two-downlink, byusing both the primary antenna 11 and the secondary antenna 12, it ispossible to reduce the reception filter of Band B in the firstmultiplexer connected to one of the antennas. Furthermore, in the secondmultiplexer connected to the other of the antennas, the reception filterof Band A can be reduced. That is, four or more filters in total can bereduced as compared with the configuration of the high-frequency frontend module 502 according to Comparative Example 1. Accordingly, it ispossible to provide the high-frequency front end module which is furtherreduced in size and in which CA of two-uplink two-downlink andone-uplink two-downlink can be performed.

1.4 Configurations of High-Frequency Front End Module 2B andCommunication Device 1B According to Modification 1

FIG. 4A is a circuit configuration diagram of a communication device 1Baccording to Modification 1 of Embodiment 1. As illustrated in thediagram, the communication device 1B includes a high-frequency front endmodule 2B, the RFIC 3, and the BBIC 4. The communication device 1Baccording to the present modification differs from the communicationdevice 1A according to Embodiment 1 in the configuration of thehigh-frequency front end module. Hereinafter, the communication device1B according to the present modification will be described focusing onthe differences from the communication device 1A according to Embodiment1.

As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the high-frequency front end module 2Bincludes the primary antenna 11 and the secondary antenna 12, the switchcircuits 20 and 50, the transmission filters 31T1 and 32T2, thereception filters 31R1, 31R2, 32R1, and 32R2, and the transmissionamplifiers 41 and 42.

According to the configuration described above, the high-frequency frontend module 2B can execute two-uplink in which a signal in the firsttransmission band (A-Tx) included in the first frequency band (Band A)and a signal in the second transmission band (B-Tx) included in thesecond frequency band (Band B) which is different from the firstfrequency band are simultaneously transmitted, and two-downlink in whicha signal in the first reception band (A-Rx) included in the firstfrequency band (Band A) and a signal in the second reception band (B-Rx)included in the second frequency band (Band B) are simultaneouslyreceived.

The high-frequency front end module 2B according to Modification 1 isdifferent from the high-frequency front end module 2A according toEmbodiment 1 in the configurations of the first multiplexer and thesecond multiplexer. Hereinafter, the high-frequency front end module 2Baccording to Modification 1 will be described focusing on thedifferences from the high-frequency front end module 2A according toEmbodiment 1.

The transmission filter 31T1 is a first transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the transmission amplifier 41, whose outputterminal is connected to the switch circuit 20, and which takes A-Tx asa pass band.

The transmission filter 32T2 is a second transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the transmission amplifier 42, whose outputterminal is connected to the switch circuit 20, and which takes B-Tx asa pass band.

The reception filter 31R1 is a first reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the switch circuit 20, and which takes A-Rx asa pass band.

The reception filter 32R1 is a fourth reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the switch circuit 20, and which takes B-Rx asa pass band.

The reception filter 32R2 is a second reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the switch circuit 20, and which takes B-Rx asa pass band.

The reception filter 31R2 is a third reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the switch circuit 20, and which takes A-Rx asa pass band.

The transmission filter 31T1 and the reception filters 31R1 and 32R1constitute a first multiplexer that can transmit a high-frequency signalin Band A and receive high-frequency signals in Band A and Band B. Notethat the first multiplexer does not have a transmission filter whichtakes B-Tx as a pass band.

The transmission filter 32T2 and the reception filters 32R2 and 31R2constitute a second multiplexer that can transmit a high-frequencysignal in Band B and receive high-frequency signals in Band A and BandB. Note that the second multiplexer does not have a transmission filterwhich takes A-Tx as a pass band.

1.5 Connection State of High-Frequency Front End Module 2B According toModification 1

FIG. 4B is a circuit state diagram in a case of two-uplink two-downlinkof the high-frequency front end module 2B according to Modification 1 ofEmbodiment 1. This diagram illustrates a circuit connection state in acase of two-uplink of Band A and Band B and two-downlink of Band A andBand B (mode 1: two-uplink two-downlink).

In the mode 1, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, by the control unit, theterminal 20 a and the terminal 20 c are connected to each other, and theterminal 20 b and the terminal 20 d are connected to each other, in theswitch circuit 20 (first connection state). Furthermore, the terminal 50a and the terminal 50 c are connected to each other, and the terminal 50b and the terminal 50 d are connected to each other, in the switchcircuit 50.

In this connection state, in the mode 1, a transmission signal in one ofBand A and Band B is transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, theswitch circuit 50, the transmission amplifier 41, the first multiplexer,the switch circuit 20, and the primary antenna 11, and a transmissionsignal in the other of Band A and Band B is transmitted through theoutput terminal 3 b, the switch circuit 50, the transmission amplifier42, the second multiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and the secondaryantenna 12. Furthermore, a reception signal in one of Band A and Band Bis received by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna 11, the switchcircuit 20, and the first multiplexer, and a reception signal in theother of Band A and Band B is received by the RFIC 3 through thesecondary antenna 12, the switch circuit 20, and the second multiplexer.

Alternatively, in the mode 1, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, by the controlunit, the terminal 20 a and the terminal 20 d are connected to eachother, and the terminal 20 b and the terminal 20 c are connected to eachother, in the switch circuit 20 (second connection state). Furthermore,the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 d are connected to each other, andthe terminal 50 b and the terminal 50 c are connected to each other, inthe switch circuit 50.

In this connection state, in the mode 1, a transmission signal in one ofBand A and Band B is transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, theswitch circuit 50, the transmission amplifier 42, the secondmultiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and the primary antenna 11, and atransmission signal in the other of Band A and Band B is transmittedthrough the output terminal 3 b, the switch circuit 50, the transmissionamplifier 41, the first multiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and thesecondary antenna 12. Furthermore, a reception signal in one of Band Aand Band B is received by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna 11, theswitch circuit 20, and the second multiplexer, and a reception signal inthe other of Band A and Band B is received by the RFIC 3 through thesecondary antenna 12, the switch circuit 20, and the first multiplexer.

FIG. 4C is a circuit state diagram in a case of one-uplink two-downlinkof the high-frequency front end module 2B according to Modification 1 ofEmbodiment 1. This diagram illustrates a circuit connection state in acase of one-uplink of Band A or Band B and two-downlink of Band A andBand B (mode 2: one-uplink two-downlink).

In the mode 2, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, by the control unit, theterminal 20 a and the terminal 20 c are connected to each other in theswitch circuit 20 (third connection state). Furthermore, the terminal 50a and the terminal 50 c are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 50.

In this connection state, in the mode 2, a transmission signal in Band Ais transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50,the transmission amplifier 41, the first multiplexer, the switch circuit20, and the primary antenna 11, and reception signals in Band A and BandB are received by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna 11, the switchcircuit 20, and the first multiplexer.

Alternatively, in the mode 2, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, by the controlunit, the terminal 20 b and the terminal 20 c are connected to eachother in the switch circuit 20 (fifth connection state). Furthermore,the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 d are connected to each other inthe switch circuit 50.

In this connection state, in the mode 2, a transmission signal in Band Bis transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50,the transmission amplifier 42, the second multiplexer, the switchcircuit 20, and the primary antenna 11, and reception signals in Band Aand Band B are received by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna 11,the switch circuit 20, and the second multiplexer.

Note that in both the above-described two types of connection forms, thecase of one-uplink two-downlink by passing through the output terminal 3a and the primary antenna 11 has been described as an example, butone-uplink two-downlink by passing through the output terminal 3 b andthe secondary antenna 12 (fourth connection state or sixth connectionstate) is also possible.

The high-frequency front end module 2B according to Modification 1includes the primary antenna 11 and the secondary antenna 12, the switchcircuit 20, the first multiplexer, and the second multiplexer, therebymaking it possible to arbitrarily distribute high-frequency signals inBand A and Band B to the primary antenna 11 and the secondary antenna 12by switching the connection state of the switch circuit 20, and executeCA of two-uplink two-downlink. Therefore, in the first multiplexerconnected to one of the antennas, the transmission filter of Band B canbe reduced. In the same manner, in the second multiplexer connected tothe other of the antennas, the transmission filter of Band A can bereduced. That is, two filters can be reduced as compared with theconfiguration of the high-frequency front end module 502 according toComparative Example 1.

In the configuration of the high-frequency front end module 2B accordingto Modification 1, in comparison with the high-frequency front endmodule 502 according to Comparative Example 1, the one switch circuit 20of the two-input two-output type is added, but the switch circuit 20 issufficiently smaller than the transmission filter and the receptionfilter. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the high-frequency frontend module 2B which is reduced in size and in which CA of two-uplinktwo-downlink can be performed.

Furthermore, in the high-frequency front end module 2B according toModification 1, in comparison with the high-frequency front end module2A according to Embodiment 1, since the first multiplexer furtherincludes the reception filter 32R1 corresponding to Band B, in the caseof one-uplink two-downlink in which a high-frequency signal in Band A istransmitted, only one of the primary antenna 11 and the secondaryantenna 12 may be used. Furthermore, since the second multiplexerfurther includes the reception filter 31R2 corresponding to Band A, inthe case of one-uplink two-downlink in which a high-frequency signal inBand B is transmitted, only one of the primary antenna 11 and thesecondary antenna 12 may be used. Accordingly, it is possible tosimplify the CA operation of one-uplink two-downlink.

1.6 Configurations of High-Frequency Front End Module 2H andCommunication Device 1H According to Modification 2

FIG. 5 is a circuit configuration diagram of a communication device 1Haccording to Modification 2 of Embodiment 1. As illustrated in thediagram, the communication device 1H includes a high-frequency front endmodule 2H, the RFIC 3, and the BBIC 4. The communication device 1Haccording to the present modification differs from the communicationdevice 1A according to Embodiment 1 in the configuration of thehigh-frequency front end module. Hereinafter, the communication device1H according to the present modification will be described focusing onthe differences from the communication device 1A according to Embodiment1.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the high-frequency front end module 2Hincludes the primary antenna 11 and the secondary antenna 12, switchcircuits 20, 50, 67, 68, 69, and 73, the transmission filters 31T and32T, the reception filters 31R and 32R, a transmission/reception filter38TR, the transmission amplifiers 41 and 42, and a reception amplifier51.

Furthermore, the secondary antenna 12, the switch circuits 67, 68, 69,and 73, the transmission filter 32T, the reception filter 32R, thetransmission/reception filter 38TR, the transmission amplifier 42, andthe reception amplifier 51 constitute a sub-module 5H.

The transmission/reception filter 38TR is a filter whose input terminalis connected to the switch circuit 73, whose output terminal isconnected to the switch circuit 69, and which takes C-Rx as a pass band.

The reception amplifier 51 is an amplifier whose input terminal isconnected to a common terminal of the switch circuit 68, and whoseoutput terminal is connected to the RFIC 3.

The switch circuit 67 has a common terminal connected to the outputterminal of the transmission amplifier 42, one selection terminalconnected to the input terminal of the transmission filter 32T, andanother selection terminal connected to one selection terminal of theswitch circuit 69.

The switch circuit 68 has a common terminal connected to the inputterminal of the reception amplifier 51, one selection terminal connectedto the output terminal of the reception filter 32R, and anotherselection terminal connected to another selection terminal of the switchcircuit 69.

The switch circuit 69 has a common terminal connected to thetransmission/reception filter 38TR.

The switch circuit 73 has a common terminal connected to the terminal 20b, one selection terminal connected to the output terminal of thetransmission filter 32T and the input terminal of the reception filter32R, and another selection terminal connected to thetransmission/reception filter 38TR.

An existing sub-module has a circuit configuration of only receptionsystems, but in the high-frequency front end module 2H according to thepresent modification, the sub-module 5H includes the transmission systemcircuit, which makes it possible to execute two-uplink CA. That is, thesub-module 5H has the transmission filter 32T and the reception filter32R (duplexer) used in the case of frequency division duplex (FDD) andthe transmission/reception filter 38TR used in the case of time divisionduplex (TDD).

Note that, in the existing configuration, to the switch circuit 73, areception filter for the reception band B-Rx is connected instead of thetransmission filter 32T and the reception filter 32R (duplexer), and areception filter for the reception band C-Rx is connected instead of thetransmission/reception filter 38TR, but by disposing the transmissionfilter 32T and the reception filter 32R (duplexer) and thetransmission/reception filter 38TR, it is not necessary to connect aduplicate reception filter to the switch circuit 73. With this,miniaturization of the sub-module 5H and the high-frequency front endmodule 2H is achieved.

According to the configuration described above, the high-frequency frontend module 2H can execute two-uplink in which a signal in thetransmission band (A-Tx) included in Band A, and a signal in thetransmission band (B-Tx) included in Band B or a signal in thetransmission band (C-Tx) included in Band C are simultaneouslytransmitted, and two-downlink in which a signal in the reception band(A-Rx) included in Band A, and a signal in the reception band (B-Rx)included in Band B or a signal in the reception band (C-Rx) included inBand C are simultaneously received.

Embodiment 2 2.1 Configurations of High-Frequency Front End Module 2Cand Communication Device 1C

Although Embodiment 1 has described the configurations of thecommunication device and the high-frequency front end module forexecuting CA in two frequency bands, the present embodiment describesthe configurations of a communication device and a high-frequency frontend module for executing CA of two frequency bands among three frequencybands.

FIG. 6 is a circuit configuration diagram of a communication device 1Caccording to Embodiment 2. As illustrated in the diagram, thecommunication device 1C includes a high-frequency front end module 2C,the RFIC 3, and the BBIC 4. The communication device 1C according to thepresent embodiment differs from the communication device 1A according toEmbodiment 1 in the configuration of the high-frequency front endmodule. Hereinafter, the communication device 1C according to thepresent embodiment will be described focusing on the differences fromthe communication device 1A according to Embodiment 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the high-frequency front end module 2Cincludes a primary antenna 13 and a secondary antenna 14, switchcircuits 20, 50, 61, and 62, transmission filters 31T1, 32T1, 32T2, and33T2, reception filters 31R1, 32R1, 33R1, 31R2, 32R2, and 33R2, andtransmission amplifiers 43 and 44.

According to the configuration described above, the high-frequency frontend module 2C can execute two-uplink in which two signals among a signalin the first transmission band (A-Tx) included in the first frequencyband (Band A), a signal in the second transmission band (C-Tx) includedin the second frequency band (Band C in the present embodiment) which isdifferent from the first frequency band, and a signal in a thirdtransmission band (B-Tx) included in a third frequency band (Band B inthe present embodiment) which is different from the first frequency bandand the second frequency band are simultaneously transmitted, andtwo-downlink in which two signals among a signal in the first receptionband (A-Rx) included in the first frequency band (Band A), a signal inthe second reception band (C-Rx) included in the second frequency band(Band C), and a signal in a third reception band (B-Rx) included in thethird frequency band (Band B) which is different from the firstfrequency band and the second frequency band are simultaneouslyreceived.

The high-frequency front end module 2C according to the presentembodiment is different from the high-frequency front end module 2Aaccording to Embodiment 1 in a point that the configuration fortransmitting/receiving signals in three frequency bands is included.Hereinafter, the high-frequency front end module 2C according to thepresent embodiment will be described focusing on the differences fromthe high-frequency front end module 2A according to Embodiment 1.

The primary antenna 13 is an antenna that is used in preference to thesecondary antenna 14 in terms of antenna performance and the like, andis an antenna element capable of transmitting and receiving signals inBand A, Band B, and Band C. The secondary antenna 14 is an antennaelement capable of transmitting and receiving signals in Band A, Band B,and Band C.

The switch circuit 61 is an SPDT type switch circuit having a commonterminal 61 a and selection terminals 61 c and 61 d. The common terminal61 a is connected to an output terminal of the transmission amplifier43. The switch circuit 62 is an SPDT type switch circuit having a commonterminal 62 a and selection terminals 62 c and 62 d. The common terminal62 a is connected to an output terminal of the transmission amplifier44.

The transmission filter 31T1 is a first transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 61 c, whose outputterminal is connected to the switch circuit 20, and which takes A-Tx asa pass band.

The transmission filter 32T1 is a fifth transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 61 d, whose outputterminal is connected to the switch circuit 20, and which takes B-Tx asa pass band.

The reception filter 31R1 is a first reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the switch circuit 20, and which takes A-Rx asa pass band.

The reception filter 32R1 is a fifth reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the switch circuit 20, and which takes B-Rx asa pass band.

The reception filter 33R1 is a fourth reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the switch circuit 20, and which takes C-Rx asa pass band.

The transmission filter 32T2 is a sixth transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 62 c, whose outputterminal is connected to the switch circuit 20, and which takes B-Tx asa pass band.

The transmission filter 33T2 is a second transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 62 d, whose outputterminal is connected to the switch circuit 20, and which takes C-Tx asa pass band.

The reception filter 31R2 is a third reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the switch circuit 20, and which takes A-Rx asa pass band.

The reception filter 32R2 is a sixth reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the switch circuit 20, and which takes B-Rx asa pass band.

The reception filter 33R2 is a second reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the switch circuit 20, and which takes C-Rx asa pass band.

The transmission filters 31T1 and 32T1 and the reception filters 31R1,32R1, and 33R1 constitute a first multiplexer that can selectivelytransmit high-frequency signals in Band A and Band B and receivehigh-frequency signals in Band A, Band B, and Band C. Note that thefirst multiplexer does not have a transmission filter which takes C-Txas a pass band.

The transmission filters 32T2 and 33T2 and the reception filters 31R2,32R2, and 33R2 constitute a second multiplexer that can selectivelytransmit high-frequency signals in Band B and Band C and receivehigh-frequency signals in Band A, Band B, and Band C. Note that thesecond multiplexer does not have a transmission filter which takes A-Txas a pass band.

The high-frequency front end module 2C described above includes theprimary antenna 13 and the secondary antenna 14, the switch circuits 20,61, and 62, the first multiplexer, and the second multiplexer describedabove, thereby making it possible to arbitrarily distributehigh-frequency signals in Band A, Band B, and Band C to the primaryantenna 13 and the secondary antenna 14 by switching the connectionstate of the switch circuits 20, 61, and 62, and execute CA oftwo-uplink two-downlink. Here, since the first multiplexer does not havea transmission filter of Band C and the second multiplexer does not havea transmission filter of Band A, it is possible to provide thehigh-frequency front end module 2C which is reduced in size and in whichCA of two-uplink two-downlink can be performed.

2.2 Connection State of High-Frequency Front End Module 2C

FIG. 7A is a circuit state diagram in a case of two-uplink two-downlinkof the high-frequency front end module 2C according to Embodiment 2.This diagram illustrates a circuit connection state in a case oftwo-uplink of Band A and Band C and two-downlink of Band A and Band C(mode 1: two-uplink two-downlink).

In the mode 1, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, by the control unit, theterminal 20 a and the terminal 20 c are connected to each other, and theterminal 20 b and the terminal 20 d are connected to each other, in theswitch circuit 20 (first connection state). Furthermore, the terminal 50a and the terminal 50 c are connected to each other, and the terminal 50b and the terminal 50 d are connected to each other, in the switchcircuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 61 a and theselection terminal 61 c are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 61, and the common terminal 62 a and the selection terminal 62 dare connected to each other in the switch circuit 62.

In this connection state, in the mode 1, a transmission signal in Band Ais transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50,the transmission amplifier 43, the switch circuit 61, the firstmultiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and the primary antenna 13, and atransmission signal in Band C is transmitted through the output terminal3 b, the switch circuit 50, the transmission amplifier 44, the switchcircuit 62, the second multiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and thesecondary antenna 14. Furthermore, a reception signal in Band A isreceived by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna 13, the switchcircuit 20, and the first multiplexer, and a reception signal in Band Cis received by the RFIC 3 through the secondary antenna 14, the switchcircuit 20, and the second multiplexer.

Alternatively, in the mode 1, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, by the controlunit, the terminal 20 a and the terminal 20 d are connected to eachother, and the terminal 20 b and the terminal 20 c are connected to eachother, in the switch circuit 20 (second connection state). Furthermore,the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 d are connected to each other, andthe terminal 50 b and the terminal 50 c are connected to each other, inthe switch circuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 61 a and theselection terminal 61 c are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 61, and the common terminal 62 a and the selection terminal 62 dare connected to each other in the switch circuit 62.

In this connection state, in the mode 1, a transmission signal in Band Cis transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50,the transmission amplifier 44, the switch circuit 62, the secondmultiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and the primary antenna 13, and atransmission signal in Band A is transmitted through the output terminal3 b, the switch circuit 50, the transmission amplifier 43, the switchcircuit 61, the first multiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and thesecondary antenna 14. Furthermore, a reception signal in Band C isreceived by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna 13, the switchcircuit 20, and the second multiplexer, and a reception signal in Band Ais received by the RFIC 3 through the secondary antenna 14, the switchcircuit 20, and the first multiplexer.

Note that although not illustrated in FIG. 7A, a circuit connectionstate in a case of two-uplink two-downlink of Band B and Band C is asfollows.

That is, by the control unit, the terminal 20 a and the terminal 20 care connected to each other, and the terminal 20 b and the terminal 20 dare connected to each other, in the switch circuit 20 (first connectionstate). Furthermore, the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 c areconnected to each other, and the terminal 50 b and the terminal 50 d areconnected to each other, in the switch circuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 61 a and theselection terminal 61 d are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 61, and the common terminal 62 a and the selection terminal 62 dare connected to each other in the switch circuit 62.

In this connection state, a transmission signal in Band B is transmittedthrough the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50, the transmissionamplifier 43, the switch circuit 61, the first multiplexer, the switchcircuit 20, and the primary antenna 13, and a transmission signal inBand C is transmitted through the output terminal 3 b, the switchcircuit 50, the transmission amplifier 44, the switch circuit 62, thesecond multiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and the secondary antenna 14.Furthermore, a reception signal in Band B is received by the RFIC 3through the primary antenna 13, the switch circuit 20, and the firstmultiplexer, and a reception signal in Band C is received by the RFIC 3through the secondary antenna 14, the switch circuit 20, and the secondmultiplexer.

Alternatively, by the control unit, the terminal 20 a and the terminal20 d are connected to each other, and the terminal 20 b and the terminal20 c are connected to each other, in the switch circuit 20 (secondconnection state). Furthermore, the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 dare connected to each other, and the terminal 50 b and the terminal 50 care connected to each other, in the switch circuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 61 a and theselection terminal 61 d are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 61, and the common terminal 62 a and the selection terminal 62 dare connected to each other in the switch circuit 62.

In this connection state, a transmission signal in Band C is transmittedthrough the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50, the transmissionamplifier 44, the switch circuit 62, the second multiplexer, the switchcircuit 20, and the primary antenna 13, and a transmission signal inBand B is transmitted through the output terminal 3 b, the switchcircuit 50, the transmission amplifier 43, the switch circuit 61, thefirst multiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and the secondary antenna 14.Furthermore, a reception signal in Band C is received by the RFIC 3through the primary antenna 13, the switch circuit 20, and the secondmultiplexer, and a reception signal in Band B is received by the RFIC 3through the secondary antenna 14, the switch circuit 20, and the firstmultiplexer.

Furthermore, although not illustrated in FIG. 7A, a circuit connectionstate in a case of two-uplink two-downlink of Band A and Band B is asfollows.

That is, by the control unit, the terminal 20 a and the terminal 20 care connected to each other, and the terminal 20 b and the terminal 20 dare connected to each other, in the switch circuit 20 (first connectionstate). Furthermore, the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 c areconnected to each other, and the terminal 50 b and the terminal 50 d areconnected to each other, in the switch circuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 61 a and theselection terminal 61 c are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 61, and the common terminal 62 a and the selection terminal 62 care connected to each other in the switch circuit 62.

In this connection state, a transmission signal in Band A is transmittedthrough the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50, the transmissionamplifier 43, the switch circuit 61, the first multiplexer, the switchcircuit 20, and the primary antenna 13, and a transmission signal inBand B is transmitted through the output terminal 3 b, the switchcircuit 50, the transmission amplifier 44, the switch circuit 62, thesecond multiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and the secondary antenna 14.Furthermore, a reception signal in Band A is received by the RFIC 3through the primary antenna 13, the switch circuit 20, and the firstmultiplexer, and a reception signal in Band B is received by the RFIC 3through the secondary antenna 14, the switch circuit 20, and the secondmultiplexer.

Alternatively, by the control unit, the terminal 20 a and the terminal20 d are connected to each other, and the terminal 20 b and the terminal20 c are connected to each other, in the switch circuit 20 (secondconnection state). Furthermore, the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 dare connected to each other, and the terminal 50 b and the terminal 50 care connected to each other, in the switch circuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 61 a and theselection terminal 61 c are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 61, and the common terminal 62 a and the selection terminal 62 care connected to each other in the switch circuit 62.

In this connection state, a transmission signal in Band B is transmittedthrough the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50, the transmissionamplifier 44, the switch circuit 62, the second multiplexer, the switchcircuit 20, and the primary antenna 13, and a transmission signal inBand A is transmitted through the output terminal 3 b, the switchcircuit 50, the transmission amplifier 43, the switch circuit 61, thefirst multiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and the secondary antenna 14.Furthermore, a reception signal in Band B is received by the RFIC 3through the primary antenna 13, the switch circuit 20, and the secondmultiplexer, and a reception signal in Band A is received by the RFIC 3through the secondary antenna 14, the switch circuit 20, and the firstmultiplexer.

FIG. 7B is a circuit state diagram in a case of one-uplink two-downlinkof the high-frequency front end module 2C according to Embodiment 2.This diagram illustrates a circuit connection state in a case ofone-uplink of Band A and two-downlink of Band A and Band C (mode 2:one-uplink two-downlink).

In the mode 2, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, by the control unit, theterminal 20 a and the terminal 20 c are connected to each other in theswitch circuit 20. Furthermore, the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 care connected to each other in the switch circuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 61 a and theselection terminal 61 c are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 61.

In this connection state, in the mode 2, a transmission signal in Band Ais transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50,the transmission amplifier 43, the switch circuit 61, the firstmultiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and the primary antenna 13, andreception signals in Band A and Band C are received by the RFIC 3through the primary antenna 13, the switch circuit 20, and the firstmultiplexer.

Alternatively, in the mode 2, one-uplink of Band C and two-downlink ofBand A and Band C (mode 2: one-uplink two-downlink) can be performed.That is, by the control unit, the terminal 20 b and the terminal 20 care connected to each other in the switch circuit 20. Furthermore, theterminal 50 a and the terminal 50 d are connected to each other in theswitch circuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 62 a and theselection terminal 62 d are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 62.

In this connection state, in the mode 2, a transmission signal in Band Cis transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50,the transmission amplifier 44, the switch circuit 62, the secondmultiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and the primary antenna 13, andreception signals in Band A and Band C are received by the RFIC 3through the primary antenna 13, the switch circuit 20, and the secondmultiplexer.

Note that in both the above-described two types of connection forms, thecase of one-uplink two-downlink by passing through the output terminal 3a and the primary antenna 13 has been described as an example, butone-uplink two-downlink by passing through the output terminal 3 b andthe secondary antenna 14 is also possible.

Furthermore, although not illustrated in FIG. 7B, a circuit connectionstate in a case of one-uplink of Band B and two-downlink of Band B andBand C (mode 2: one-uplink two-downlink) is as follows.

In the mode 2, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, by the control unit, theterminal 20 a and the terminal 20 c are connected to each other in theswitch circuit 20. Furthermore, the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 care connected to each other in the switch circuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 61 a and theselection terminal 61 d are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 61.

In this connection state, in the mode 2, a transmission signal in Band Bis transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50,the transmission amplifier 43, the switch circuit 61, the firstmultiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and the primary antenna 13, andreception signals in Band B and Band C are received by the RFIC 3through the primary antenna 13, the switch circuit 20, and the firstmultiplexer.

Alternatively, in the mode 2, one-uplink of Band C and two-downlink ofBand B and Band C (mode 2: one-uplink two-downlink) can be performed.That is, by the control unit, the terminal 20 b and the terminal 20 care connected to each other in the switch circuit 20. Furthermore, theterminal 50 a and the terminal 50 d are connected to each other in theswitch circuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 62 a and theselection terminal 62 d are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 62.

In this connection state, in the mode 2, a transmission signal in Band Cis transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50,the transmission amplifier 44, the switch circuit 62, the secondmultiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and the primary antenna 13, andreception signals in Band B and Band C are received by the RFIC 3through the primary antenna 13, the switch circuit 20, and the secondmultiplexer.

Note that in both the above-described two types of connection forms, thecase of one-uplink two-downlink by passing through the output terminal 3a and the primary antenna 13 has been described as an example, butone-uplink two-downlink by passing through the output terminal 3 b andthe secondary antenna 14 is also possible.

Furthermore, although not illustrated in FIG. 7B, a circuit connectionstate in a case of one-uplink of Band A and two-downlink of Band A andBand B (mode 2: one-uplink two-downlink) is as follows.

In the mode 2, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, by the control unit, theterminal 20 a and the terminal 20 c are connected to each other in theswitch circuit 20. Furthermore, the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 care connected to each other in the switch circuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 61 a and theselection terminal 61 c are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 61.

In this connection state, in the mode 2, a transmission signal in Band Ais transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50,the transmission amplifier 43, the switch circuit 61, the firstmultiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and the primary antenna 13, andreception signals in Band A and Band B are received by the RFIC 3through the primary antenna 13, the switch circuit 20, and the firstmultiplexer.

Alternatively, in the mode 2, one-uplink of Band B and two-downlink ofBand A and Band B (mode 2: one-uplink two-downlink) can be performed.That is, by the control unit, the terminal 20 b and the terminal 20 care connected to each other in the switch circuit 20. Furthermore, theterminal 50 a and the terminal 50 d are connected to each other in theswitch circuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 62 a and theselection terminal 62 c are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 62.

In this connection state, in the mode 2, a transmission signal in Band Bis transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50,the transmission amplifier 44, the switch circuit 62, the secondmultiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and the primary antenna 13, andreception signals in Band A and Band B are received by the RFIC 3through the primary antenna 13, the switch circuit 20, and the secondmultiplexer.

Alternatively, in the mode 2, by the control unit, the terminal 20 a andthe terminal 20 c are connected to each other in the switch circuit 20.Furthermore, the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 c are connected toeach other in the switch circuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 61 a and theselection terminal 61 d are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 61.

In this connection state, in the mode 2, a transmission signal in Band Bis transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50,the transmission amplifier 43, the switch circuit 61, the firstmultiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and the primary antenna 13, andreception signals in Band A and Band B are received by the RFIC 3through the primary antenna 13, the switch circuit 20, and the firstmultiplexer.

Note that, in all the above-described connection forms of one-uplinktwo-downlink, the case of one-uplink two-downlink by passing through theoutput terminal 3 a and the primary antenna 13 has been described as anexample, but one-uplink two-downlink by passing through the outputterminal 3 b and the secondary antenna 14 is also possible.

2.3 Comparison of High-Frequency Front End Modules According toEmbodiment 2 and Comparative Example 2

FIG. 8 is a circuit configuration diagram of a high-frequency front endmodule 503 according to Comparative Example 2. Note that the diagramalso illustrates the RFIC 3 connected to the high-frequency front endmodule 503 according to Comparative Example 2. As illustrated in thediagram, the high-frequency front end module 503 includes a primarycircuit 503 a and a secondary circuit 503 b. The primary circuit 503 aincludes the primary antenna 13, a switch circuit 563, transmissionfilters 31T1, 32T1, and 33T1, the reception filters 31R1, 32R1, and33R1, and the transmission amplifier 43. The transmission filters 31T1,32T1, and 33T1 and the reception filters 31R1, 32R1, and 33R1 constitutea first multiplexer. The secondary circuit 503 b includes the secondaryantenna 14, a switch circuit 564, the transmission filters 31T2, 32T2,and 33T2, the reception filters 31R2, 32R2, and 33R2, and thetransmission amplifier 44. The transmission filters 31T2, 32T2, and 33T2and the reception filters 31R2, 32R2, and 33R2 constitute a secondmultiplexer. The high-frequency front end module 503 according toComparative Example 2 is different from the high-frequency front endmodule 2C according to Embodiment 2 in the configurations of the firstmultiplexer, the second multiplexer, and the switch circuit.Hereinafter, the high-frequency front end module 503 according toComparative Example 2 will be described focusing on the differences fromthe high-frequency front end module 2C according to Embodiment 2.

The switch circuit 563 is an SP3T (Single Pole 3 Throw) type switchcircuit having a common terminal 563 a and selection terminals 563 c,563 d, and 563 e. The common terminal 563 a is connected to the outputterminal of the transmission amplifier 43. The switch circuit 564 is anSP3T type switch circuit having a common terminal 564 a and selectionterminals 564 c, 564 d, and 564 e. The common terminal 564 a isconnected to the output terminal of the transmission amplifier 44.

The transmission filter 31T1 is a transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 563 c, whose outputterminal is connected to the primary antenna 13, and which takes A-Tx asa pass band. The transmission filter 32T1 is a transmission filter whoseinput terminal is connected to the selection terminal 563 d, whoseoutput terminal is connected to the primary antenna 13, and which takesB-Tx as a pass band. The transmission filter 33T1 is a transmissionfilter whose input terminal is connected to the selection terminal 563e, whose output terminal is connected to the primary antenna 13, andwhich takes C-Tx as a pass band.

The reception filter 31R1 is a reception filter whose input terminal isconnected to the primary antenna 13, and which takes A-Rx as a passband. The reception filter 32R1 is a reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the primary antenna 13, and which takes B-Rx asa pass band. The reception filter 33R1 is a reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the primary antenna 13, and which takes C-Rx asa pass band.

The transmission filter 31T2 is a transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 564 c, whose outputterminal is connected to the secondary antenna 14, and which takes A-Txas a pass band. The transmission filter 32T2 is a transmission filterwhose input terminal is connected to the selection terminal 564 d, whoseoutput terminal is connected to the secondary antenna 14, and whichtakes B-Tx as a pass band. The transmission filter 33T2 is atransmission filter whose input terminal is connected to the selectionterminal 564 e, whose output terminal is connected to the secondaryantenna 14, and which takes C-Tx as a pass band.

The reception filter 31R2 is a reception filter whose input terminal isconnected to the secondary antenna 14, and which takes A-Rx as a passband. The reception filter 32R2 is a reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the secondary antenna 14, and which takes B-Rxas a pass band. The reception filter 33R2 is a reception filter whoseinput terminal is connected to the secondary antenna 14, and which takesC-Rx as a pass band.

According to the configuration described above, the high-frequency frontend module 503 can execute two-uplink in which two signals among asignal in the first transmission band (A-Tx) included in Band A, asignal in the second transmission band (C-Tx) included in Band C, and asignal in the third transmission band (B-Tx) included in Band B aresimultaneously transmitted, and two-downlink in which two signals amonga signal in the first reception band (A-Rx) included in Band A, a signalin the second reception band (C-Rx) included in Band C, and a signal inthe third reception band (B-Rx) included in Band B are simultaneouslyreceived.

For example, in a state in which the common terminal 563 a and theselection terminal 563 c are connected to each other and the commonterminal 564 a and the selection terminal 564 e are connected to eachother, it is possible to execute two-uplink two-downlink of Band A andBand C. That is, a transmission signal in Band A is transmitted throughthe output terminal 3 a, the transmission amplifier 43, the firstmultiplexer, and the primary antenna 13, and a transmission signal inBand C is transmitted through the output terminal 3 b, the transmissionamplifier 44, the second multiplexer, and the secondary antenna 14.Furthermore, a reception signal in Band A is received by the RFIC 3through the primary antenna 13 and the first multiplexer, and areception signal in Band C is received by the RFIC 3 through thesecondary antenna 14 and the second multiplexer. Furthermore, in a statein which the common terminal 563 a and the selection terminal 563 e areconnected to each other and the common terminal 564 a and the selectionterminal 564 c are connected to each other as well, it is possible toexecute two-uplink two-downlink of Band A and Band C.

Furthermore, in a state in which the common terminal 563 a and theselection terminal 563 c are connected to each other and the commonterminal 564 a and the selection terminal 564 d are connected to eachother, or in a state in which the common terminal 563 a and theselection terminal 563 d are connected to each other and the commonterminal 564 a and the selection terminal 564 c are connected to eachother, it is possible to execute two-uplink two-downlink of Band A andBand B.

Furthermore, in a state in which the common terminal 563 a and theselection terminal 563 d are connected to each other and the commonterminal 564 a and the selection terminal 564 e are connected to eachother, or in a state in which the common terminal 563 a and theselection terminal 563 e are connected to each other and the commonterminal 564 a and the selection terminal 564 d are connected to eachother, it is possible to execute two-uplink two-downlink of Band B andBand C.

In the high-frequency front end module 503 according to ComparativeExample 2, in order to ensure signal quality such as isolation and thelike of high-frequency signals in two bands among Band A, Band B, andBand C simultaneously transmitted/received, two antenna elements, suchas the primary antenna 13 which is preferentially used and the secondaryantenna 14 which is secondarily used, are disposed. In this case,because of necessity of making it possible to transmit/receive each ofthe high-frequency signals in Band A, Band B, and Band C even by any ofthe antennas, a transmission path and a reception path of Band A, atransmission path and a reception path of Band B, and a transmissionpath and a reception path of Band C are connected to the primary antenna13, and a transmission path and a reception path of Band A, atransmission path and a reception path of Band B, and a transmissionpath and a reception path of Band C are connected and disposed also tothe secondary antenna 14. A filter for selectively allowing a desiredfrequency band to pass therethrough is arranged in each signal path, andin the configuration of the high-frequency front end module 503according to Comparative Example 2, it is necessary to connect sixfilters to the primary antenna 13, and to similarly connect six filtersto the secondary antenna 14. That is, in the front end module to whichthe primary antenna 13 and the secondary antenna 14 are applied, inorder to achieve two-uplink two-downlink of two arbitrary frequencybands among Band A, Band B, and Band C, a total of 12 filters arerequired, and the circuit is enlarged.

In contrast, according to the high-frequency front end module 2Caccording to the present embodiment, it is possible to arbitrarilydistribute high-frequency signals in Band A, Band B, and Band C to theprimary antenna 13 and the secondary antenna 14 by switching theconnection state of the switch circuit 20, and execute CA of two-uplinktwo-downlink. Therefore, in the first multiplexer connected to one ofthe antennas, for example, the transmission filter of Band C can bereduced. In the same manner, in the second multiplexer connected to theother of the antennas, for example, the transmission filter of Band Acan be reduced. That is, in the high-frequency front end module 2Caccording to the present embodiment, a total of ten filters aredisposed, and two filters can be reduced as compared with theconfiguration of the high-frequency front end module 503 according toComparative Example 2.

In the configuration of the high-frequency front end module 2C accordingto the present embodiment, in comparison with the high-frequency frontend module 503 according to Comparative Example 2, the one switchcircuit 20 of the two-input two-output type is added, but the switchcircuit 20 is sufficiently smaller than the transmission filter and thereception filter. Accordingly, it is possible to provide thehigh-frequency front end module 2C which is reduced in size and in whichCA of two-uplink two-downlink can be performed.

2.4 Configurations of High-Frequency Front End Module 2D andCommunication Device 1D According to Modification

FIG. 9 is a circuit configuration diagram of a communication device 1Daccording to Modification of Embodiment 2. As illustrated in thediagram, the communication device 1D includes a high-frequency front endmodule 2D, the RFIC 3, and the BBIC 4. The communication device 1Daccording to the present modification differs from the communicationdevice 1C according to Embodiment 2 in the configuration of thehigh-frequency front end module. Hereinafter, the communication device1D according to the present modification will be described focusing onthe differences from the communication device 1C according to Embodiment2.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the high-frequency front end module 2Dincludes the primary antenna 13 and the secondary antenna 14, the switchcircuits 20, 62, and 50, the transmission filters 31T1, 32T2, and 33T2,reception filters 31R1, 32R1, 31R2, and 35R2, and the transmissionamplifiers 43 and 44.

Note that the communication device 1D according to the presentmodification is applied in a case where Band A, Band B, and Band C havethe following frequency relationship. That is, the relationship is suchthat Band A overlaps with neither Band B nor Band C in the frequencyband, and the reception band of Band B includes the reception band ofBand C.

According to the configuration described above, the high-frequency frontend module 2D can execute (1) two-uplink two-downlink of Band A and BandB, and (2) two-uplink two-downlink of Band A and Band C. Note that sinceBand B includes Band C, two-uplink two-downlink of Band B and Band C isnot executed.

The high-frequency front end module 2D according to the presentmodification is different from the high-frequency front end module 2Caccording to Embodiment 2 in the configurations of the first multiplexerand the second multiplexer. Hereinafter, the high-frequency front endmodule 2D according to the present modification will be describedfocusing on the differences from the high-frequency front end module 2Caccording to Embodiment 2.

The switch circuit 62 is an SPDT type switch circuit having the commonterminal 62 a and the selection terminals 62 c and 62 d. The commonterminal 62 a is connected to the output terminal of the transmissionamplifier 44.

The transmission filter 31T1 is a first transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the transmission amplifier 43, whose outputterminal is connected to the switch circuit 20, and which takes A-Tx asa pass band.

The reception filter 31R1 is a first reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the switch circuit 20, and which takes A-Rx asa pass band.

The reception filter 32R1 is a fifth reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the switch circuit 20, and which takes B-Rx andC-Rx as a pass band.

The transmission filter 32T2 is a sixth transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 62 c, whose outputterminal is connected to the switch circuit 20, and which takes B-Tx asa pass band.

The transmission filter 33T2 is a second transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 62 d, whose outputterminal is connected to the switch circuit 20, and which takes C-Tx asa pass band.

The reception filter 31R2 is a third reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the switch circuit 20, and which takes A-Rx asa pass band.

The reception filter 35R2 is a second reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the switch circuit 20, and which takes, as apass band, a band which includes B-Rx and C-Rx.

The transmission filter 31T1 and the reception filters 31R1 and 32R1constitute a first multiplexer that can selectively transmit ahigh-frequency signal in Band A and receive high-frequency signals inBand A, Band B, and Band C. Note that the first multiplexer does nothave a transmission filter which takes B-Tx as a pass band and atransmission filter which takes C-Tx as a pass band.

The transmission filters 32T2 and 33T2 and the reception filters 31R2and 35R2 constitute a second multiplexer that can selectively transmithigh-frequency signals in Band B and Band C and receive high-frequencysignals in Band A, Band B, and Band C. Note that the second multiplexerdoes not have a transmission filter which takes A-Tx as a pass band anda reception filter which takes C-Rx as a pass band and does not takepart of B-Rx as a pass band.

The high-frequency front end module 2D described above includes theprimary antenna 13 and the secondary antenna 14, the switch circuits 20and 62, the first multiplexer, and the second multiplexer describedabove, thereby making it possible to arbitrarily distributehigh-frequency signals in Band A, Band B, and Band C to the primaryantenna 13 and the secondary antenna 14 by switching the connectionstate of the switch circuits 20 and 62, and execute two-uplinktwo-downlink of Band A and Band B, and two-uplink two-downlink of Band Aand Band C. Here, since the first multiplexer does not have atransmission filter of Band B, a transmission filter of Band C, and areception filter of Band C, and the second multiplexer does not have atransmission filter of Band A and a reception filter dedicated to BandC, it is possible to provide the high-frequency front end module 2Dwhich is reduced in size and in which CA of two-uplink two-downlink inthree bands including two bands in an overlapping relationship can beperformed.

2.5 Connection State of High-Frequency Front End Module 2D According toModification

FIG. 10A is a circuit state diagram in a case of two-uplink two-downlinkof the high-frequency front end module 2D according to Modification ofEmbodiment 2. This diagram illustrates a circuit connection state in acase of two-uplink of Band A and Band C and two-downlink of Band A andBand C (mode 1: two-uplink two-downlink).

In the mode 1, as illustrated in FIG. 10A, by the control unit, theterminal 20 a and the terminal 20 c are connected to each other, and theterminal 20 b and the terminal 20 d are connected to each other, in theswitch circuit 20 (first connection state). Furthermore, the terminal 50a and the terminal 50 c are connected to each other, and the terminal 50b and the terminal 50 d are connected to each other, in the switchcircuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 62 a and theselection terminal 62 d are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 62.

In this connection state, in the mode 1, a transmission signal in Band Ais transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50,the transmission amplifier 43, the first multiplexer, the switch circuit20, and the primary antenna 13, and a transmission signal in Band C istransmitted through the output terminal 3 b, the switch circuit 50, thetransmission amplifier 44, the switch circuit 62, the secondmultiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and the secondary antenna 14.Furthermore, a reception signal in Band A is received by the RFIC 3through the primary antenna 13, the switch circuit 20, and the firstmultiplexer, and a reception signal in Band C is received by the RFIC 3through the secondary antenna 14, the switch circuit 20, and the secondmultiplexer (reception filter 35R2).

Alternatively, in the mode 1, as illustrated in FIG. 10A, by the controlunit, the terminal 20 a and the terminal 20 d are connected to eachother, and the terminal 20 b and the terminal 20 c are connected to eachother, in the switch circuit 20 (second connection state). Furthermore,the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 d are connected to each other, andthe terminal 50 b and the terminal 50 c are connected to each other, inthe switch circuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 62 a and theselection terminal 62 d are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 62.

In this connection state, in the mode 1, a transmission signal in Band Cis transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50,the transmission amplifier 44, the switch circuit 62, the secondmultiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and the primary antenna 13, and atransmission signal in Band A is transmitted through the output terminal3 b, the switch circuit 50, the transmission amplifier 43, the firstmultiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and the secondary antenna 14.Furthermore, a reception signal in Band C is received by the RFIC 3through the primary antenna 13, the switch circuit 20, and the secondmultiplexer (reception filter 35R2), and a reception signal in Band A isreceived by the RFIC 3 through the secondary antenna 14, the switchcircuit 20, and the first multiplexer.

Furthermore, in the high-frequency front end module 2D, two-uplink ofBand A and Band B and two-downlink of Band A and Band B (mode 1:two-uplink two-downlink) can be performed.

That is, by the control unit, the terminal 20 a and the terminal 20 care connected to each other, and the terminal 20 b and the terminal 20 dare connected to each other, in the switch circuit 20 (first connectionstate). Furthermore, the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 c areconnected to each other, and the terminal 50 b and the terminal 50 d areconnected to each other, in the switch circuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 62 a and theselection terminal 62 c are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 62.

In this connection state, in the mode 1, a transmission signal in Band Ais transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50,the transmission amplifier 43, the first multiplexer, the switch circuit20, and the primary antenna 13, and a transmission signal in Band B istransmitted through the output terminal 3 b, the switch circuit 50, thetransmission amplifier 44, the switch circuit 62 (through the selectionterminal 62 c), the second multiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and thesecondary antenna 14. Furthermore, a reception signal in Band A isreceived by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna 13, the switchcircuit 20, and the first multiplexer, and a reception signal in Band Bis received by the RFIC 3 through the secondary antenna 14, the switchcircuit 20, and the second multiplexer (reception filter 35R2).

Alternatively, by the control unit, the terminal 20 a and the terminal20 d are connected to each other, and the terminal 20 b and the terminal20 c are connected to each other, in the switch circuit 20 (secondconnection state). Furthermore, the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 dare connected to each other, and the terminal 50 b and the terminal 50 care connected to each other, in the switch circuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 62 a and theselection terminal 62 c are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 62.

In this connection state, in the mode 1, a transmission signal in Band Bis transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50,the transmission amplifier 44, the switch circuit 62 (through theselection terminal 62 c), the second multiplexer, the switch circuit 20,and the primary antenna 13, and a transmission signal in Band A istransmitted through the output terminal 3 b, the switch circuit 50, thetransmission amplifier 43, the first multiplexer, the switch circuit 20,and the secondary antenna 14. Furthermore, a reception signal in Band Bis received by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna 13, the switchcircuit 20, and the second multiplexer (reception filter 35R2), and areception signal in Band A is received by the RFIC 3 through thesecondary antenna 14, the switch circuit 20, and the first multiplexer.

FIG. 10B is a circuit state diagram in a case of one-uplink two-downlinkof the high-frequency front end module 2D according to Modification ofEmbodiment 2. This diagram illustrates a circuit connection state in acase of one-uplink of Band A and two-downlink of Band A and Band B (mode2: one-uplink two-downlink).

In the mode 2, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, by the control unit, theterminal 20 a and the terminal 20 c are connected to each other in theswitch circuit 20 (third connection state). Furthermore, the terminal 50a and the terminal 50 c are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 50.

In this connection state, in the mode 2, a transmission signal in Band Ais transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50,the transmission amplifier 43, the first multiplexer, the switch circuit20, and the primary antenna 13, and reception signals in Band A and BandB are received by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna 13, the switchcircuit 20, and the first multiplexer.

Furthermore, in the above-described connection state, one-uplink of BandA and two-downlink of Band A and Band C (mode 2: one-uplinktwo-downlink) can also be performed.

That is, a transmission signal in Band A is transmitted through theoutput terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50, the transmission amplifier43, the first multiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and the primaryantenna 13, and reception signals in Band A and Band C are received bythe RFIC 3 through the primary antenna 13, the switch circuit 20, andthe first multiplexer.

Furthermore, in the high-frequency front end module 2D, one-uplink ofBand B and two-downlink of Band A and Band B (mode 2: one-uplinktwo-downlink) can be performed.

That is, by the control unit, the terminal 20 b and the terminal 20 care connected to each other in the switch circuit 20 (fifth connectionstate). Furthermore, the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 d areconnected to each other in the switch circuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 62 a and theselection terminal 62 c are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 62.

In this connection state, in the mode 2, a transmission signal in Band Bis transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50,the transmission amplifier 44, the switch circuit 62 (through theselection terminal 62 c), the second multiplexer, the switch circuit 20,and the primary antenna 13, and reception signals in Band A and Band Bare received by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna 13, the switchcircuit 20, and the second multiplexer.

Furthermore, in the above-described connection state, one-uplink of BandC and two-downlink of Band A and Band C (mode 2: one-uplinktwo-downlink) can also be performed.

That is, by the control unit, the terminal 20 b and the terminal 20 care connected to each other in the switch circuit 20 (fifth connectionstate). Furthermore, the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 d areconnected to each other in the switch circuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 62 a and theselection terminal 62 d are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 62.

That is, a transmission signal in Band C is transmitted through theoutput terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50, the transmission amplifier44, the switch circuit 62, the second multiplexer, the switch circuit20, and the primary antenna 13, and reception signals in Band A and BandC are received by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna 13, the switchcircuit 20, and the second multiplexer.

Note that in the above-described two types of connection forms, the caseof one-uplink two-downlink by passing through the output terminal 3 aand the primary antenna 13 has been described as an example, butone-uplink two-downlink by passing through the output terminal 3 b andthe secondary antenna 14 is also possible.

The high-frequency front end module 2D according to the presentmodification includes the primary antenna 13 and the secondary antenna14, the switch circuit 20, the first multiplexer, and the secondmultiplexer, thereby making it possible to execute two-uplinktwo-downlink of two bands of Band A and Band B, and two-uplinktwo-downlink of two bands of Band A and Band C, by switching theconnection state of the switch circuit 20. By arbitrarily distributinghigh-frequency signals in Band A and Band B to the primary antenna 13and the secondary antenna 14, and arbitrarily distributinghigh-frequency signals in Band A and Band C to the primary antenna 13and the secondary antenna 14, CA of two-uplink two-downlink can beperformed. Therefore, in the first multiplexer connected to one of theantennas, the transmission filters of Band B and Band C can be reduced.In the same manner, in the second multiplexer connected to the other ofthe antennas, the transmission filter of Band A can be reduced. That is,three or more filters can be reduced as compared with the configurationof the high-frequency front end module 503 according to ComparativeExample 2.

Furthermore, in the configuration of the high-frequency front end module2D according to the present modification, as compared with thehigh-frequency front end module 2C according to Embodiment 2, it ispossible to further reduce three filters of the transmission filter ofBand B and the reception filter dedicated to Band C as the filtersconstituting the first multiplexer, and the reception filter dedicatedto Band C as the second multiplexer. Furthermore, in the case ofone-uplink two-downlink, only one of the primary antenna 13 and thesecondary antenna 14 may be used. Accordingly, it is possible to providethe high-frequency front end module 2D which is further reduced in sizeand in which CA of two-uplink two-downlink can be performed and the CAoperation of one-uplink two-downlink is simplified.

Embodiment 3 3.1 Configurations of High-Frequency Front End Module 2Eand Communication Device 1E

Embodiment 1 has described the configurations of the communicationdevice and the high-frequency front end module for executing CA in twofrequency bands, and Embodiment 2 has described the configurations ofthe communication device and the high-frequency front end module forexecuting CA in two frequency bands among three frequency bands. Incontrast, the present embodiment describes the configurations of acommunication device and a high-frequency front end module for executingCA of two frequency bands among four frequency bands.

FIG. 11 is a circuit configuration diagram of a communication device 1Eaccording to Embodiment 3. As illustrated in the diagram, thecommunication device 1E includes a high-frequency front end module 2E,the RFIC 3, and the BBIC 4. The communication device 1E according to thepresent embodiment differs from the communication device 1C according toEmbodiment 2 in the configuration of the high-frequency front endmodule. Hereinafter, the communication device 1E according to thepresent embodiment will be described focusing on the differences fromthe communication device 1C according to Embodiment 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the high-frequency front end module 2Eincludes a primary antenna 15 and a secondary antenna 16, switchcircuits 20, 50, 63, 64, 71, and 72, transmission filters 31T1, 34T1,32T2, and 33T2, reception filters 31R1, 32R1, 33R1, 34R1, 31R2, 32R2,33R2, and 34R2, and transmission amplifiers 45 and 46.

According to the configuration described above, the high-frequency frontend module 2E can execute (1) two-uplink in which a transmission signalin a first transmission band (B66-Tx) included in a first frequency band(Band 66) and a transmission signal in a second transmission band(B25-Tx) included in a second frequency band (Band 25) aresimultaneously transmitted, (2) two-downlink in which a reception signalin a first reception band (B66-Rx) included in the first frequency band(Band 66) and a reception signal in a second reception band (B25-Rx)included in the second frequency band (Band 25) are simultaneouslyreceived, (3) two-uplink in which a transmission signal in a thirdtransmission band (B1-Tx) included in a third frequency band (Band 1)and a transmission signal in a fourth transmission band (B3-Tx) includedin a fourth frequency band (Band 3) are simultaneously transmitted, and(4) two-downlink in which a reception signal in a third reception band(B1-Rx) included in the third frequency band (Band 1) and a receptionsignal in a fourth reception band (B3-Rx) included in the fourthfrequency band (Band 3) are simultaneously received.

Note that in the present embodiment, a working example in which each ofthe four frequency bands is allocated to a specific band of LTE (LongTerm Evolution) is described. Note that Band 66 has a transmission band(about 1710-1780 MHz) and a reception band (about 2110-2200 MHz). Band25 has a transmission band (about 1850-1915 MHz) and a reception band(about 1930-1995 MHz). Band 1 has a transmission band (about 1920-1980MHz) and a reception band (about 2110-2170 MHz). Band 3 has atransmission band (about 1710-1785 MHz) and a reception band (about1805-1880 MHz).

In the frequency allocation described above, a relationship in which thetransmission band of Band 3 includes the transmission band of Band 66 isestablished, and a relationship in which the reception band of Band 66includes the reception band of Band 1 is established. In the fourfrequency bands, there is no other overlapping and inclusionrelationship.

By the relationship of the frequency band, the high-frequency front endmodule 2E according to the present embodiment is configured such thattwo-uplink of Band 66 and Band 3 is not executed, and two-downlink ofBand 66 and Band 1 is not executed.

The high-frequency front end module 2E according to the presentembodiment is different from the high-frequency front end module 2Caccording to Embodiment 2 in a point that the configuration fortransmitting/receiving signals in four frequency bands is included.Hereinafter, the high-frequency front end module 2E according to thepresent embodiment will be described focusing on the differences fromthe high-frequency front end module 2C according to Embodiment 2.

The primary antenna 15 is an antenna that is used in preference to thesecondary antenna 16 in terms of antenna performance and the like, andis an antenna element capable of transmitting and receiving signals inBand 66, Band 25, Band 1, and Band 3. The secondary antenna 16 is anantenna element capable of transmitting and receiving signals in Band66, Band 25, Band 1, and Band 3.

The switch circuit 63 is an SPDT type switch circuit having a commonterminal 63 a and selection terminals 63 c and 63 d. The common terminal63 a is connected to an output terminal of the transmission amplifier45. The switch circuit 64 is an SPDT type switch circuit having a commonterminal 64 a and selection terminals 64 c and 64 d. The common terminal64 a is connected to an output terminal of the transmission amplifier46.

The switch circuit 71 is an SPDT type switch circuit having a commonterminal 71 c and selection terminals 71 a and 71 b. The common terminal71 c is connected to the terminal 20 a of the switch circuit 20. Theswitch circuit 72 is an SPDT type switch circuit having a commonterminal 72 c and selection terminals 72 a and 72 b. The common terminal72 c is connected to the terminal 20 b of the switch circuit 20.

The transmission filter 31T1 is a first transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 63 c, whose outputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 71 a, and which takesB66-Tx as a pass band.

The transmission filter 34T1 is a seventh transmission filter whoseinput terminal is connected to the selection terminal 63 d, whose outputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 71 b, and which takesB3-Tx as a pass band.

The reception filter 31R1 is a first reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 71 a, and which takesB66-Rx as a pass band.

The reception filter 32R1 is a fourth reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 71 a, and which takesB25-Rx as a pass band.

The reception filter 33R1 is a fifth reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 71 b, and which takesB1-Rx as a pass band.

The reception filter 34R1 is a seventh reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 71 b, and which takesB3-Rx as a pass band.

The transmission filter 32T2 is a second transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 64 c, whose outputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 72 a, and which takesB25-Tx as a pass band.

The transmission filter 33T2 is a sixth transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 64 d, whose outputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 72 b, and which takesB1-Tx as a pass band.

The reception filter 31R2 is a third reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 72 a, and which takesB66-Rx as a pass band.

The reception filter 32R2 is a second reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 72 a, and which takesB25-Rx as a pass band.

The reception filter 33R2 is a sixth reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 72 b, and which takesB1-Rx as a pass band.

The reception filter 34R2 is an eighth reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 72 b, and which takesB3-Rx as a pass band.

The transmission filters 31T1 and 34T1 and the reception filters 31R1,32R1, 33R1, and 34R1 constitute a first multiplexer that can selectivelytransmit high-frequency signals in Band 66 and Band 3 and receivehigh-frequency signals in Band 66, Band 25, Band 1, and Band 3. Notethat the first multiplexer does not have a transmission filter whichtakes B25-Tx as a pass band and a transmission filter which takes B1-Txas a pass band.

The transmission filters 32T2 and 33T2 and the reception filters 31R2,32R2, 33R2, and 34R2 constitute a second multiplexer that canselectively transmit high-frequency signals in Band 25 and Band 1 andreceive high-frequency signals in Band 66, Band 25, Band 1, and Band 3.Note that the second multiplexer does not have a transmission filterwhich takes B66-Tx as a pass band and a transmission filter which takesB3-Tx as a pass band.

The high-frequency front end module 2E described above includes theprimary antenna 15 and the secondary antenna 16, the switch circuits 20,63, 64, 71, and 72, the first multiplexer, and the second multiplexerdescribed above, thereby making it possible to arbitrarily distributehigh-frequency signals in Band 66, Band 25, Band 1, and Band 3 to theprimary antenna 15 and the secondary antenna 16 by switching theconnection state of the switch circuits 20, 63, 64, 71, and 72, andexecute CAs of two-uplink two-downlink cited in (1)-(4) described above.Here, since the first multiplexer does not have the transmission filterof Band 25 and the transmission filter of Band 1, and the secondmultiplexer does not have the transmission filter of Band 66 and thetransmission filter of Band 3, it is possible to provide thehigh-frequency front end module 2E which is reduced in size and in whichCA of two-uplink two-downlink can be performed.

3.2 Connection State of High-Frequency Front End Module 2E

FIG. 12A is a circuit state diagram in a case of two-uplink two-downlinkof the high-frequency front end module 2E according to Embodiment 3.This diagram illustrates a circuit connection state in a case oftwo-uplink of Band 66 and Band 25 and two-downlink of Band 66 and Band25 (mode 1: two-uplink two-downlink).

In the mode 1, as illustrated in FIG. 12A, by the control unit, theterminal 20 a and the terminal 20 c are connected to each other, and theterminal 20 b and the terminal 20 d are connected to each other, in theswitch circuit 20 (first connection state). Furthermore, the terminal 50a and the terminal 50 c are connected to each other, and the terminal 50b and the terminal 50 d are connected to each other, in the switchcircuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 63 a and theselection terminal 63 c are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 63, and the common terminal 64 a and the selection terminal 64 care connected to each other in the switch circuit 64.

In this connection state, in the mode 1, a transmission signal in Band66 is transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit50, the transmission amplifier 45, the switch circuit 63, the firstmultiplexer, the switch circuit 71, the switch circuit 20, and theprimary antenna 15, and a transmission signal in Band 25 is transmittedthrough the output terminal 3 b, the switch circuit 50, the transmissionamplifier 46, the switch circuit 64, the second multiplexer, the switchcircuit 72, the switch circuit 20, and the secondary antenna 16.Furthermore, a reception signal in Band 66 is received by the RFIC 3through the primary antenna 15, the switch circuit 20, the switchcircuit 71, and the first multiplexer, and a reception signal in Band 25is received by the RFIC 3 through the secondary antenna 16, the switchcircuit 20, the switch circuit 72, and the second multiplexer.

Alternatively, in the mode 1, as illustrated in FIG. 12A, by the controlunit, the terminal 20 a and the terminal 20 d are connected to eachother, and the terminal 20 b and the terminal 20 c are connected to eachother, in the switch circuit 20 (second connection state). Furthermore,the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 d are connected to each other, andthe terminal 50 b and the terminal 50 c are connected to each other, inthe switch circuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 63 a and theselection terminal 63 c are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 63, and the common terminal 64 a and the selection terminal 64 care connected to each other in the switch circuit 64.

In this connection state, in the mode 1, a transmission signal in Band25 is transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit50, the transmission amplifier 46, the switch circuit 64, the secondmultiplexer, the switch circuit 72, the switch circuit 20, and theprimary antenna 15, and a transmission signal in Band 66 is transmittedthrough the output terminal 3 b, the switch circuit 50, the transmissionamplifier 45, the switch circuit 63, the first multiplexer, the switchcircuit 71, the switch circuit 20, and the secondary antenna 16.Furthermore, a reception signal in Band 25 is received by the RFIC 3through the primary antenna 15, the switch circuit 20, the switchcircuit 72, and the second multiplexer, and a reception signal in Band66 is received by the RFIC 3 through the secondary antenna 16, theswitch circuit 20, the switch circuit 71, and the first multiplexer.

FIG. 12B is a circuit state diagram in a case of two-uplink two-downlinkof the high-frequency front end module 2E according to Embodiment 3.This diagram illustrates a circuit connection state in a case oftwo-uplink of Band 1 and Band 3 and two-downlink of Band 1 and Band 3(mode 1: two-uplink two-downlink).

In the mode 1, as illustrated in FIG. 12B, by the control unit, theterminal 20 a and the terminal 20 c are connected to each other, and theterminal 20 b and the terminal 20 d are connected to each other, in theswitch circuit 20 (first connection state). Furthermore, the terminal 50a and the terminal 50 c are connected to each other, and the terminal 50b and the terminal 50 d are connected to each other, in the switchcircuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 63 a and theselection terminal 63 d are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 63, and the common terminal 64 a and the selection terminal 64 dare connected to each other in the switch circuit 64.

In this connection state, in the mode 1, a transmission signal in Band 1is transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50,the transmission amplifier 45, the switch circuit 63, the firstmultiplexer, the switch circuit 71, the switch circuit 20, and theprimary antenna 15, and a transmission signal in Band 3 is transmittedthrough the output terminal 3 b, the switch circuit 50, the transmissionamplifier 46, the switch circuit 64, the second multiplexer, the switchcircuit 72, the switch circuit 20, and the secondary antenna 16.Furthermore, a reception signal in Band 1 is received by the RFIC 3through the primary antenna 15, the switch circuit 20, the switchcircuit 71, and the first multiplexer, and a reception signal in Band 3is received by the RFIC 3 through the secondary antenna 16, the switchcircuit 20, the switch circuit 72, and the second multiplexer.

Alternatively, in the mode 1, as illustrated in FIG. 12B, by the controlunit, the terminal 20 a and the terminal 20 d are connected to eachother, and the terminal 20 b and the terminal 20 c are connected to eachother, in the switch circuit 20 (second connection state). Furthermore,the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 d are connected to each other, andthe terminal 50 b and the terminal 50 c are connected to each other, inthe switch circuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 63 a and theselection terminal 63 d are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 63, and the common terminal 64 a and the selection terminal 64 dare connected to each other in the switch circuit 64.

In this connection state, in the mode 1, a transmission signal in Band 3is transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50,the transmission amplifier 46, the switch circuit 64, the secondmultiplexer, the switch circuit 72, the switch circuit 20, and theprimary antenna 15, and a transmission signal in Band 1 is transmittedthrough the output terminal 3 b, the switch circuit 50, the transmissionamplifier 45, the switch circuit 63, the first multiplexer, the switchcircuit 71, the switch circuit 20, and the secondary antenna 16.Furthermore, a reception signal in Band 3 is received by the RFIC 3through the primary antenna 15, the switch circuit 20, the switchcircuit 72, and the second multiplexer, and a reception signal in Band 1is received by the RFIC 3 through the secondary antenna 16, the switchcircuit 20, the switch circuit 71, and the first multiplexer.

FIG. 12C is a circuit state diagram in a case of one-uplink two-downlinkof the high-frequency front end module 2E according to Embodiment 3.This diagram illustrates a circuit connection state in a case ofone-uplink of Band 66 and two-downlink of Band 66 and Band 25 (mode 2:one-uplink two-downlink).

In the mode 2, as illustrated in FIG. 12C, by the control unit, theterminal 20 a and the terminal 20 c are connected to each other in theswitch circuit 20 (third connection state). Furthermore, the terminal 50a and the terminal 50 c are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 63 a and theselection terminal 63 c are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 63.

In this connection state, in the mode 2, a transmission signal in Band66 is transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit50, the transmission amplifier 45, the switch circuit 63, the firstmultiplexer, the switch circuit 71, the switch circuit 20, and theprimary antenna 15, and reception signals in Band 66 and Band 25 arereceived by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna 15, the switchcircuit 20, the switch circuit 71, and the first multiplexer.

Note that in the above-described connection form, the case of one-uplinktwo-downlink by passing through the output terminal 3 a and the primaryantenna 15 has been described as an example, but one-uplink two-downlinkby passing through the output terminal 3 b and the secondary antenna 16is also possible.

Alternatively, in the mode 2, one-uplink of Band 25 and two-downlink ofBand 66 and Band 25 (mode 2: one-uplink two-downlink) can be performed.That is, by the control unit, the terminal 20 b and the terminal 20 care connected to each other in the switch circuit 20 (fifth connectionstate). Furthermore, the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 d areconnected to each other in the switch circuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 64 a and theselection terminal 64 c are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 64.

In this connection state, in the mode 2, a transmission signal in Band25 is transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit50, the transmission amplifier 46, the switch circuit 64, the secondmultiplexer, the switch circuit 72, the switch circuit 20, and theprimary antenna 15, and reception signals in Band 66 and Band 25 arereceived by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna 15, the switchcircuit 20, the switch circuit 72, and the second multiplexer.

Note that in both the above-described two types of connection forms, thecase of one-uplink two-downlink by passing through the output terminal 3a and the primary antenna 15 has been described as an example, butone-uplink two-downlink by passing through the output terminal 3 b andthe secondary antenna 16 is also possible.

Furthermore, although not illustrated in FIG. 12C, a circuit connectionstate in a case of one-uplink of Band 3 and two-downlink of Band 1 andBand 3 (mode 2: one-uplink two-downlink) is as follows.

That is, by the control unit, the terminal 20 a and the terminal 20 care connected to each other in the switch circuit 20 (third connectionstate). Furthermore, the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 c areconnected to each other in the switch circuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 63 a and theselection terminal 63 d are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 63.

In this connection state, in the mode 2, a transmission signal in Band 3is transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50,the transmission amplifier 45, the switch circuit 63, the firstmultiplexer, the switch circuit 71, the switch circuit 20, and theprimary antenna 15, and reception signals in Band 1 and Band 3 arereceived by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna 15, the switchcircuit 20, the switch circuit 71, and the first multiplexer.

Alternatively, in the mode 2, one-uplink of Band 1 and two-downlink ofBand 1 and Band 3 (mode 2: one-uplink two-downlink) can be performed.That is, by the control unit, the terminal 20 b and the terminal 20 care connected to each other in the switch circuit 20 (fifth connectionstate). Furthermore, the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 d areconnected to each other in the switch circuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 64 a and theselection terminal 64 d are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 64.

In this connection state, in the mode 2, a transmission signal in Band 1is transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50,the transmission amplifier 46, the switch circuit 64, the secondmultiplexer, the switch circuit 72, the switch circuit 20, and theprimary antenna 15, and reception signals in Band 1 and Band 3 arereceived by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna 15, the switchcircuit 20, the switch circuit 72, and the second multiplexer.

Note that in both the above-described two types of connection forms, thecase of one-uplink two-downlink by passing through the output terminal 3a and the primary antenna 15 has been described as an example, butone-uplink two-downlink by passing through the output terminal 3 b andthe secondary antenna 16 is also possible.

3.3 Comparison of High-Frequency Front End Modules According toEmbodiment 3 and Comparative Example 3

FIG. 13 is a circuit configuration diagram of a high-frequency front endmodule 504 according to Comparative Example 3. Note that the diagramalso illustrates the RFIC 3 connected to the high-frequency front endmodule 504 according to Comparative Example 3. As illustrated in thediagram, the high-frequency front end module 504 includes a primarycircuit 504 a and a secondary circuit 504 b. The primary circuit 504 aincludes the primary antenna 15, switch circuits 565 and 71, thetransmission filters 31T1, 32T1, 33T1, and 34T1, the reception filters31R1, 32R1, 33R1, and 34R1, and the transmission amplifier 45. Thetransmission filters 31T1, 32T1, 33T1, and 34T1 and the receptionfilters 31R1, 32R1, 33R1, and 34R1 constitute a first multiplexer. Thesecondary circuit 504 b includes the secondary antenna 16, switchcircuits 566 and 72, transmission filters 31T2, 32T2, 33T2, and 34T2,the reception filters 31R2, 32R2, 33R2, and 34R2, and the transmissionamplifier 46. The transmission filters 31T2, 32T2, 33T2, and 34T2 andthe reception filters 31R2, 32R2, 33R2, and 34R2 constitute a secondmultiplexer. The high-frequency front end module 504 according toComparative Example 3 is different from the high-frequency front endmodule 2E according to Embodiment 3 in the configurations of the firstmultiplexer, the second multiplexer, and the switch circuit.Hereinafter, the high-frequency front end module 504 according toComparative Example 3 will be described focusing on the differences fromthe high-frequency front end module 2E according to Embodiment 3.

The switch circuit 565 is an SP4T (Single Pole 4 Throw) type switchcircuit having a common terminal and four selection terminals. Thecommon terminal is connected to the output terminal of the transmissionamplifier 45. The switch circuit 566 is an SP4T type switch circuithaving a common terminal and four selection terminals. The commonterminal is connected to the output terminal of the transmissionamplifier 46.

The switch circuit 71 is an SPDT type switch circuit having the commonterminal 71 c and the selection terminals 71 a and 71 b. The commonterminal 71 c is connected to the primary antenna 15. The switch circuit72 is an SPDT type switch circuit having the common terminal 72 c andthe selection terminals 72 a and 72 b. The common terminal 72 c isconnected to the secondary antenna 16.

The transmission filter 31T1 is a transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal of the switch circuit565, whose output terminal is connected to the selection terminal 71 a,and which takes B66-Tx as a pass band. The transmission filter 32T1 is atransmission filter whose input terminal is connected to the selectionterminal of the switch circuit 565, whose output terminal is connectedto the selection terminal 71 a, and which takes B25-Tx as a pass band.The transmission filter 33T1 is a transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal of the switch circuit565, whose output terminal is connected to the selection terminal 71 b,and which takes B1-Tx as a pass band. The transmission filter 34T1 is atransmission filter whose input terminal is connected to the selectionterminal of the switch circuit 565, whose output terminal is connectedto the selection terminal 71 b, and which takes B3-Tx as a pass band.

The reception filter 31R1 is a reception filter whose input terminal isconnected to the selection terminal 71 a, and which takes B66-Rx as apass band. The reception filter 32R1 is a reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 71 a, and which takesB25-Rx as a pass band. The reception filter 33R1 is a reception filterwhose input terminal is connected to the selection terminal 71 b, andwhich takes B1-Rx as a pass band. The reception filter 34R1 is areception filter whose input terminal is connected to the selectionterminal 71 b, and which takes B3-Rx as a pass band.

The transmission filter 31T2 is a transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal of the switch circuit566, whose output terminal is connected to the selection terminal 72 a,and which takes B66-Tx as a pass band. The transmission filter 32T2 is atransmission filter whose input terminal is connected to the selectionterminal of the switch circuit 566, whose output terminal is connectedto the selection terminal 72 a, and which takes B25-Tx as a pass band.The transmission filter 33T2 is a transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal of the switch circuit566, whose output terminal is connected to the selection terminal 72 b,and which takes B1-Tx as a pass band. The transmission filter 34T2 is atransmission filter whose input terminal is connected to the selectionterminal of the switch circuit 566, whose output terminal is connectedto the selection terminal 72 b, and which takes B3-Tx as a pass band.

The reception filter 31R2 is a reception filter whose input terminal isconnected to the selection terminal 72 a, and which takes B66-Rx as apass band. The reception filter 32R2 is a reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 72 a, and which takesB25-Rx as a pass band. The reception filter 33R2 is a reception filterwhose input terminal is connected to the selection terminal 72 b, andwhich takes B1-Rx as a pass band. The reception filter 34R2 is areception filter whose input terminal is connected to the selectionterminal 72 b, and which takes B3-Rx as a pass band.

According to the configuration described above, the high-frequency frontend module 504 can execute (1) two-uplink in which a transmission signalin B66-Tx included in Band 66 and a transmission signal in B25-Txincluded in Band 25 are simultaneously transmitted, (2) two-downlink inwhich a reception signal in B66-Rx included in Band 66 and a receptionsignal in B25-Rx included in Band 25 are simultaneously received, (3)two-uplink in which a transmission signal in B1-Tx included in Band 1and a transmission signal in B3-Tx included in Band 3 are simultaneouslytransmitted, and (4) two-downlink in which a reception signal in B1-Rxincluded in Band 1 and a reception signal in B3-Rx included in Band 3are simultaneously received.

In the high-frequency front end module 504 according to ComparativeExample 3, in order to ensure signal quality such as isolation and thelike of high-frequency signals in Band 66 and Band 25 simultaneouslytransmitted/received, and signal quality such as isolation and the likeof high-frequency signals in Band 1 and Band 3 simultaneouslytransmitted/received, two antenna elements, such as the primary antenna15 which is preferentially used and the secondary antenna 16 which issecondarily used, are disposed. In this case, because of necessity ofmaking it possible to transmit/receive each of the high-frequencysignals in Band 66, Band 25, Band 1, and Band 3 even by any of theantennas, transmission paths and reception paths of all bands areconnected to the primary antenna 15, and transmission paths andreception paths of all bands are connected and disposed also to thesecondary antenna 16. A filter for selectively allowing a desiredfrequency band to pass therethrough is arranged in each signal path, andin the configuration of the high-frequency front end module 504according to Comparative Example 3, it is necessary to connect eightfilters to the primary antenna 15, and to similarly connect eightfilters to the secondary antenna 16. That is, in the front end module towhich the primary antenna 15 and the secondary antenna 16 are applied,in order to achieve two-uplink two-downlink of two arbitrary frequencybands among Band 66, Band 25, Band 1, and Band 3, a total of 16 filtersare required, and the circuit is enlarged.

In contrast, according to the high-frequency front end module 2Eaccording to the present embodiment, it is possible to arbitrarilydistribute high-frequency signals in Band 66, Band 25, Band 1, and Band3 to the primary antenna 15 and the secondary antenna 16 by switchingthe connection state of the switch circuit 20, and execute CA oftwo-uplink two-downlink. Therefore, in the first multiplexer connectedto one of the antennas, for example, the transmission filter of Band 25and the transmission filter of Band 1 can be reduced. In the samemanner, in the second multiplexer connected to the other of theantennas, for example, the transmission filter of Band 66 and thetransmission filter of Band 3 can be reduced. That is, four or morefilters can be reduced as compared with the configuration of thehigh-frequency front end module 504 according to Comparative Example 3.

In the configuration of the high-frequency front end module 2E accordingto the present embodiment, in comparison with the high-frequency frontend module 504 according to Comparative Example 3, the one switchcircuit 20 of the two-input two-output type is added, but the switchcircuit 20 is sufficiently smaller than the transmission filter and thereception filter. Accordingly, it is possible to provide thehigh-frequency front end module 2E which is reduced in size and in whichCA of two-uplink two-downlink can be performed.

3.4 Configurations of High-Frequency Front End Module 2F andCommunication Device 1F According to Modification 1

FIG. 14 is a circuit configuration diagram of a communication device 1Faccording to Modification 1 of Embodiment 3. As illustrated in thediagram, the communication device 1F includes a high-frequency front endmodule 2F, the RFIC 3, and the BBIC 4. The communication device 1Faccording to the present modification differs from the communicationdevice 1E according to Embodiment 3 in the configuration of thehigh-frequency front end module. Hereinafter, the communication device1F according to the present modification will be described focusing onthe differences from the communication device 1E according to Embodiment3.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, the high-frequency front end module 2Fincludes the primary antenna 15 and the secondary antenna 16, switchcircuits 20, 50, 65, 66, and 72, transmission filters 37T1, 31T2, 32T2,33T2, and 34T2, reception filters 36R1, 34R1, 32R1, 31R2, 32R2, 33R2,and 34R2, and transmission amplifiers 47 and 48.

Note that in the communication device 1F according to the presentmodification, in frequency band allocation, a relationship in which thetransmission band of Band 3 includes the transmission band of Band 66 isestablished, and a relationship in which the reception band of Band 66includes the reception band of Band 1 is established. In the fourfrequency bands, there is no other overlapping and inclusionrelationship.

According to the configuration described above, the high-frequency frontend module 2F can execute (1) two-uplink in which a transmission signalin B66-Tx included in Band 66 and a transmission signal in B25-Txincluded in Band 25 are simultaneously transmitted, (2) two-downlink inwhich a reception signal in B66-Rx included in Band 66 and a receptionsignal in B25-Rx included in Band 25 are simultaneously received, (3)two-uplink in which a transmission signal in B1-Tx included in Band 1and a transmission signal in B3-Tx included in Band 3 are simultaneouslytransmitted, and (4) two-downlink in which a reception signal in B1-Rxincluded in Band 1 and a reception signal in B3-Rx included in Band 3are simultaneously received. Note that two-uplink of Band 66 and Band 3is not executed, and two-uplink of Band 66 and Band 1 is not executed.

The high-frequency front end module 2F according to the presentmodification is different from the high-frequency front end module 2Eaccording to Embodiment 3 in the configurations of the firstmultiplexer, the second multiplexer, and the switch circuit.Hereinafter, the high-frequency front end module 2F according to thepresent modification will be described focusing on the differences fromthe high-frequency front end module 2E according to Embodiment 3.

The switch circuit 65 is an SP3T type switch circuit having a commonterminal 65 a and selection terminals 65 c, 65 d, and 65 e. The commonterminal 65 a is connected to an output terminal of the transmissionamplifier 47. The switch circuit 66 is an SPDT type switch circuithaving a common terminal 66 a and selection terminals 66 c and 66 d. Thecommon terminal 66 a is connected to an output terminal of thetransmission amplifier 48.

The switch circuit 72 is an SPDT type switch circuit having the commonterminal 72 c and the selection terminals 72 a and 72 b. The commonterminal 72 c is connected to the terminal 20 b of the switch circuit20.

The transmission filter 37T1 is a first transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 65 c, whose outputterminal is connected to the terminal 20 a, and which takes, as a passband, B3-Tx which includes B66-Tx.

The reception filter 36R1 is a first reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the terminal 20 a, and which takes, as a passband, B66-Rx which includes B1-Rx.

The reception filter 34R1 is a seventh reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the terminal 20 a, and which takes B3-Rx as apass band.

The reception filter 32R1 is a fourth reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the terminal 20 a, and which takes B25-Rx as apass band.

The transmission filter 31T2 is a transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 65 d, whose outputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 72 a, and which takesB66-Tx as a pass band.

The transmission filter 32T2 is a second transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 66 c, whose outputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 72 a, and which takesB25-Tx as a pass band.

The transmission filter 33T2 is a sixth transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 66 d, whose outputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 72 b, and which takesB1-Tx as a pass band.

The transmission filter 34T2 is an eighth transmission filter whoseinput terminal is connected to the selection terminal 65 e, whose outputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 72 b, and which takesB3-Tx as a pass band.

The reception filter 31R2 is a third reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 72 a, and which takesB66-Rx as a pass band.

The reception filter 32R2 is a second reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 72 a, and which takesB25-Rx as a pass band.

The reception filter 33R2 is a sixth reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 72 b, and which takesB1-Rx as a pass band.

The reception filter 34R2 is an eighth reception filter whose inputterminal is connected to the selection terminal 72 b, and which takesB3-Rx as a pass band.

The transmission filters 37T1 and 31T2 and the reception filters 36R1,34R1, and 32R1 constitute a first multiplexer that can selectivelytransmit high-frequency signals in Band 3 and Band 66 and receivehigh-frequency signals in Band 66, Band 25, Band 1, and Band 3. Notethat the first multiplexer does not have a transmission filter whichtakes B25-Tx as a pass band and a transmission filter which takes B1-Txas a pass band. Furthermore, a transmission filter which takes B3-Tx asa pass band and a transmission filter which takes B66-Tx as a pass bandare made as one transmission filter, and a reception filter which takesB1-Rx as a pass band and a reception filter which takes B66-Rx as a passband are made as one reception filter.

The transmission filters 32T2, 33T2, and 34T2 and the reception filters31R2, 32R2, 33R2, and 34R2 constitute a second multiplexer that canselectively transmit high-frequency signals in Band 25, Band 1, and Band3 and receive high-frequency signals in Band 66, Band 25, Band 1, andBand 3. Note that the transmission filters 31T2 and 32T2 and thereception filters 31R2 and 32R2 constitute a first quadplexer of Band 66and Band 25, and the transmission filters 33T2 and 34T2 and thereception filters 33R2 and 34R2 constitute a second quadplexer of Band 1and Band 3.

According to the configuration described above, the high-frequency frontend module 2F can execute (1) two-uplink in which a transmission signalin the first transmission band (B66-Tx) included in the first frequencyband (Band 66) and a transmission signal in the second transmission band(B25-Tx) included in the second frequency band (Band 25) aresimultaneously transmitted, (2) two-downlink in which a reception signalin the first reception band (B66-Rx) included in the first frequencyband (Band 66) and a reception signal in the second reception band(B25-Rx) included in the second frequency band (Band 25) aresimultaneously received, (3) two-uplink in which a transmission signalin B1-Tx included in Band 1 and a transmission signal in B3-Tx includedin Band 3 are simultaneously transmitted, and (4) two-downlink in whicha reception signal in B1-Rx included in Band 1 and a reception signal inB3-Rx included in Band 3 are simultaneously received.

The high-frequency front end module 2F described above includes theprimary antenna 15 and the secondary antenna 16, the switch circuits 20,65, 66, and 72, the first multiplexer, and the second multiplexerdescribed above, thereby making it possible to arbitrarily distributehigh-frequency signals in Band 66, Band 25, Band 1, and Band 3 to theprimary antenna 15 and the secondary antenna 16 by switching theconnection state of the switch circuits 20, 65, 66, and 72, and executetwo-uplink two-downlink of Band 66 and Band 25, and two-uplinktwo-downlink of Band 1 and Band 3. Here, the first multiplexer does nothave a transmission filter of Band 25 and a transmission filter ofBand 1. Furthermore, instead of individually having the transmissionfilter of Band 66, the transmission filter of Band 3 and thetransmission filter of Band 66 are made as one transmission filter, andthe reception filter of Band 1 and the reception filter of Band 66 aremade as one reception filter. Furthermore, the second multiplexer doesnot have a transmission filter of Band 66. Therefore, four filters canbe reduced as compared with the configuration of the high-frequencyfront end module 504 according to Comparative Example 3. Accordingly, incomparison with the high-frequency front end module 504 according toComparative Example 3, it is possible to provide the high-frequencyfront end module 2F which is reduced in size and in which CA oftwo-uplink two-downlink in four bands including three bands in theoverlapping relationship can be performed.

Note that in the high-frequency front end module 2F according to thepresent modification, the first quadplexer and the second quadplexer,the switch circuits 65, 66, 72, 20, and 50, and the transmissionamplifiers 47 and 48 constitute a front end module 100A supportingmulti-band of Band 66, Band 25, Band 1, and Band 3. The front end module100A is a basic circuit capable of selecting one band among theabove-described four bands by switching the switch circuits 65, 66, and72.

The high-frequency front end module 2F according to the presentmodification is capable of supporting two-uplink two-downlink of Band 66and Band 25 and two-uplink two-downlink of Band 1 and Band 3 by adding amultiplexer 100B constituted by the transmission filter 37T1 and thereception filters 36R1, 34R1, and 32R1 to the basic front end module100A described above.

3.5 Connection State of High-Frequency Front End Module 2F According toModification 1

FIG. 15A is a circuit state diagram in a case of two-uplink two-downlinkof the high-frequency front end module 2F according to Modification 1 ofEmbodiment 3. This diagram illustrates a circuit connection state in acase of two-uplink of Band 66 and Band 25 and two-downlink of Band 66and Band 25 (mode 1: two-uplink two-downlink).

In the mode 1, as illustrated in FIG. 15A, by the control unit, theterminal 20 a and the terminal 20 c are connected to each other, and theterminal 20 b and the terminal 20 d are connected to each other, in theswitch circuit 20 (first connection state). Furthermore, the terminal 50a and the terminal 50 c are connected to each other, and the terminal 50b and the terminal 50 d are connected to each other, in the switchcircuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 65 a and theselection terminal 65 c are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 65, the common terminal 66 a and the selection terminal 66 c areconnected to each other in the switch circuit 66, and the commonterminal 72 c and the selection terminal 72 a are connected to eachother in the switch circuit 72.

In this connection state, in the mode 1, a transmission signal in Band66 is transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit50, the transmission amplifier 47, the switch circuit 65, the firstmultiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and the primary antenna 15, and atransmission signal in Band 25 is transmitted through the outputterminal 3 b, the switch circuit 50, the transmission amplifier 48, theswitch circuit 66, the second multiplexer, the switch circuit 72, theswitch circuit 20, and the secondary antenna 16. Furthermore, areception signal in Band 66 is received by the RFIC 3 through theprimary antenna 15, the switch circuit 20, and the first multiplexer,and a reception signal in Band 25 is received by the RFIC 3 through thesecondary antenna 16, the switch circuit 20, the switch circuit 72, andthe second multiplexer.

Alternatively, in the mode 1, as illustrated in FIG. 15A, by the controlunit, the terminal 20 a and the terminal 20 d are connected to eachother, and the terminal 20 b and the terminal 20 c are connected to eachother, in the switch circuit 20 (second connection state). Furthermore,the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 d are connected to each other, andthe terminal 50 b and the terminal 50 c are connected to each other, inthe switch circuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 65 a and theselection terminal 65 c are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 65, the common terminal 66 a and the selection terminal 66 c areconnected to each other in the switch circuit 66, and the commonterminal 72 c and the selection terminal 72 a are connected to eachother in the switch circuit 72.

In this connection state, in the mode 1, a transmission signal in Band25 is transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit50, the transmission amplifier 48, the switch circuit 66, the secondmultiplexer, the switch circuit 72, the switch circuit 20, and theprimary antenna 15, and a transmission signal in Band 66 is transmittedthrough the output terminal 3 b, the switch circuit 50, the transmissionamplifier 47, the switch circuit 65, the first multiplexer, the switchcircuit 20, and the secondary antenna 16. Furthermore, a receptionsignal in Band 25 is received by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna15, the switch circuit 20, the switch circuit 72, and the secondmultiplexer, and a reception signal in Band 66 is received by the RFIC 3through the secondary antenna 16, the switch circuit 20, and the firstmultiplexer.

FIG. 15B is a circuit state diagram in a case of two-uplink two-downlinkof the high-frequency front end module 2F according to Modification 1 ofEmbodiment 3. This diagram illustrates a circuit connection state in acase of two-uplink of Band 1 and Band 3 and two-downlink of Band 1 andBand 3 (mode 1: two-uplink two-downlink).

In the mode 1, as illustrated in FIG. 15B, by the control unit, theterminal 20 a and the terminal 20 c are connected to each other, and theterminal 20 b and the terminal 20 d are connected to each other, in theswitch circuit 20 (first connection state). Furthermore, the terminal 50a and the terminal 50 c are connected to each other, and the terminal 50b and the terminal 50 d are connected to each other, in the switchcircuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 65 a and theselection terminal 65 c are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 65, the common terminal 66 a and the selection terminal 66 d areconnected to each other in the switch circuit 66, and the commonterminal 72 c and the selection terminal 72 b are connected to eachother in the switch circuit 72.

In this connection state, in the mode 1, a transmission signal in Band 3is transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50,the transmission amplifier 47, the switch circuit 65, the firstmultiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and the primary antenna 15, and atransmission signal in Band 1 is transmitted through the output terminal3 b, the switch circuit 50, the transmission amplifier 48, the switchcircuit 66, the second multiplexer, the switch circuit 72, the switchcircuit 20, and the secondary antenna 16. Furthermore, a receptionsignal in Band 3 is received by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna15, the switch circuit 20, and the first multiplexer, and a receptionsignal in Band 1 is received by the RFIC 3 through the secondary antenna16, the switch circuit 20, the switch circuit 72, and the secondmultiplexer.

Alternatively, in the mode 1, as illustrated in FIG. 15B, by the controlunit, the terminal 20 a and the terminal 20 d are connected to eachother, and the terminal 20 b and the terminal 20 c are connected to eachother, in the switch circuit 20 (second connection state). Furthermore,the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 d are connected to each other, andthe terminal 50 b and the terminal 50 c are connected to each other, inthe switch circuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 65 a and theselection terminal 65 c are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 65, the common terminal 66 a and the selection terminal 66 d areconnected to each other in the switch circuit 66, and the commonterminal 72 c and the selection terminal 72 b are connected to eachother in the switch circuit 72.

In this connection state, in the mode 1, a transmission signal in Band 1is transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50,the transmission amplifier 48, the switch circuit 66, the secondmultiplexer, the switch circuit 72, the switch circuit 20, and theprimary antenna 15, and a transmission signal in Band 3 is transmittedthrough the output terminal 3 b, the switch circuit 50, the transmissionamplifier 47, the switch circuit 65, the first multiplexer, the switchcircuit 20, and the secondary antenna 16. Furthermore, a receptionsignal in Band 1 is received by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna15, the switch circuit 20, the switch circuit 72, and the secondmultiplexer, and a reception signal in Band 3 is received by the RFIC 3through the secondary antenna 16, the switch circuit 20, and the firstmultiplexer.

That is, in the high-frequency front end module 2F according toModification 1, in addition to the fact that (1) two-uplink two-downlinkof a high-frequency signal in the first frequency band (Band 66) and ahigh-frequency signal in the second frequency band (Band 25) can beexecuted, it is possible to execute two-uplink two-downlink of ahigh-frequency signal in Band 1 and a high-frequency signal in Band 3.

Furthermore, the high-frequency front end module 2F according to thepresent modification is applied also to the one-uplink two-downlink, inthe same manner as the high-frequency front end module 2E according toEmbodiment 3. That is, by switching the switch circuits 20, 50, 65, 66,and 72, it is possible to achieve (1) one-uplink of Band 66 andtwo-downlink of Band 66 and Band 25, (2) one-uplink of Band 25 andtwo-downlink of Band 66 and Band 25, (3) one-uplink of Band 1 andtwo-downlink of Band 1 and Band 3, and (4) one-uplink of Band 3 andtwo-downlink of Band 1 and Band 3 (mode 2: one-uplink two-downlink).

3.6 Configurations of High-Frequency Front End Module 2G andCommunication Device 1G According to Modification 2

FIG. 16 is a circuit configuration diagram of a communication device 1Gaccording to Modification 2 of Embodiment 3. As illustrated in thediagram, the communication device 1G includes a high-frequency front endmodule 2G, the RFIC 3, and the BBIC 4. The communication device 1Gaccording to the present modification differs from the communicationdevice 1F according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 3 in theconfiguration of the high-frequency front end module. Hereinafter, thecommunication device 1G according to the present modification will bedescribed focusing on the differences from the communication device 1Faccording to Modification 1 of Embodiment 3.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, the high-frequency front end module 2Gincludes the primary antenna 15 and the secondary antenna 16, the switchcircuits 20, 50, 66, and 72, the transmission filters 37T1, 32T2, and33T2, the reception filters 36R1, 34R1, 32R1, 31R2, 32R2, 33R2, and34R2, and the transmission amplifiers 47 and 48.

Note that in the communication device 1G according to the presentmodification, in frequency band allocation, a relationship in which thetransmission band of Band 3 includes the transmission band of Band 66 isestablished, and a relationship in which the reception band of Band 66includes the reception band of Band 1 is established. In the fourfrequency bands, there is no other overlapping and inclusionrelationship.

According to the configuration described above, the high-frequency frontend module 2G can execute (1) two-uplink in which a transmission signalin the first transmission band (B66-Tx) included in the first frequencyband (Band 66) and a transmission signal in the second transmission band(B25-Tx) included in the second frequency band (Band 25) aresimultaneously transmitted, and (2) two-downlink in which a receptionsignal in the first reception band (B66-Rx) included in the firstfrequency band (Band 66) and a reception signal in the second receptionband (B25-Rx) included in the second frequency band (Band 25) aresimultaneously received. Furthermore, Band 1 may be taken as the firstfrequency band, and Band 3 may be taken as the second frequency band, itis possible to execute (3) two-uplink in which a transmission signal inthe first transmission band (B1-Tx) included in the first frequency band(Band 1) and a transmission signal in the second transmission band(B3-Tx) included in the second frequency band (Band 3) aresimultaneously transmitted, and (4) two-downlink in which a receptionsignal in the first reception band (B1-Rx) included in the firstfrequency band (Band 1) and a reception signal in the second receptionband (B3-Rx) included in the second frequency band (Band 3) aresimultaneously received. Note that two-uplink of Band 66 and Band 3 isnot executed, and two-downlink of Band 66 and Band 1 is not executed.

The high-frequency front end module 2G according to the presentmodification is different from the high-frequency front end module 2Faccording to Modification 1 of Embodiment 3 in the configuration of thesecond multiplexer and in a point that the switch circuit 65 is removed.Hereinafter, the high-frequency front end module 2G according to thepresent modification will be described focusing on the differences fromthe high-frequency front end module 2F according to Modification 1 ofEmbodiment 3.

The transmission filter 37T1 is a transmission filter whose inputterminal is connected to the transmission amplifier 47, whose outputterminal is connected to the terminal 20 a, and which takes, as a passband, B3-Tx which includes B66-Tx.

The transmission filter 37T1 and the reception filters 36R1, 34R1, and32R1 constitute a first multiplexer that can selectively transmithigh-frequency signals in Band 3 and Band 66 and receive high-frequencysignals in Band 66, Band 25, Band 1, and Band 3. Note that the firstmultiplexer does not have a transmission filter which takes B25-Tx as apass band and a transmission filter which takes B1-Tx as a pass band.Furthermore, a transmission filter which takes B3-Tx as a pass band anda transmission filter which takes B66-Tx as a pass band are made as onetransmission filter, and a reception filter which takes B1-Rx as a passband and a reception filter which takes B66-Rx as a pass band are madeas one reception filter.

The transmission filters 32T2 and 33T2 and the reception filters 31R2,32R2, 33R2, and 34R2 constitute a second multiplexer that canselectively transmit high-frequency signals in Band 1 and Band 25 andreceive high-frequency signals in Band 66, Band 25, Band 1, and Band 3.Note that the second multiplexer does not have a transmission filterwhich takes B66-Tx as a pass band and a transmission filter which takesB3-Tx as a pass band.

Therefore, six filters can be reduced as compared with the configurationof the high-frequency front end module 504 according to ComparativeExample 3.

The high-frequency front end module 2G according to the presentmodification has a configuration in which simplification andminiaturization of the circuit is prioritized without ensuring the basicfunction of the front end module 100A as compared with thehigh-frequency front end module 2F according to Modification 1.Accordingly, in comparison with the high-frequency front end module 504according to Comparative Example 3 and the high-frequency front endmodule 2F according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 3, it is possible toprovide the high-frequency front end module 2G which is reduced in sizeand in which CA of two-uplink two-downlink in four bands including threebands in an overlapping relationship can be performed.

3.7 Connection State of High-Frequency Front End Module 2G According toModification 2

FIG. 17A is a circuit state diagram in a case of one-uplink two-downlinkof the high-frequency front end module 2G according to Modification 2 ofEmbodiment 3. This diagram illustrates a circuit connection state in acase of one-uplink of Band 1 and two-downlink of Band 1 and Band 3 (mode2: one-uplink two-downlink).

In the mode 2, as illustrated in FIG. 17A, by the control unit, theterminal 20 b and the terminal 20 c are connected to each other in theswitch circuit 20 (fifth connection state). Furthermore, the terminal 50a and the terminal 50 d are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 66 a and theselection terminal 66 d are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 66, and the common terminal 72 c and the selection terminal 72 bare connected to each other in the switch circuit 72.

In this connection state, in the mode 2, a transmission signal in Band 1is transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50,the transmission amplifier 48, the switch circuit 66, the secondmultiplexer, the switch circuit 72, the switch circuit 20, and theprimary antenna 15, and reception signals in Band 1 and Band 3 arereceived by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna 15, the switchcircuit 20, the switch circuit 72, and the second multiplexer.

Note that in the above-described connection form, the case of one-uplinktwo-downlink by passing through the output terminal 3 a and the primaryantenna 15 has been described as an example, but one-uplink two-downlinkby passing through the output terminal 3 b and the secondary antenna 16is also possible.

FIG. 17B is a circuit state diagram in a case of one-uplink two-downlinkof the high-frequency front end module 2G according to Modification 2 ofEmbodiment 3. This diagram illustrates a circuit connection state in acase of one-uplink of Band 3 and two-downlink of Band 1 and Band 3 (mode2: one-uplink two-downlink).

In the mode 2, as illustrated in FIG. 17B, by the control unit, theterminal 20 a and the terminal 20 c are connected to each other in theswitch circuit 20 (third connection state). Furthermore, the terminal 50a and the terminal 50 c are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 50.

In this connection state, in the mode 2, a transmission signal in Band 3is transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50,the transmission amplifier 47, the first multiplexer, the switch circuit20, and the primary antenna 15, and reception signals in Band 1 and Band3 are received by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna 15, the switchcircuit 20, and the first multiplexer.

Note that in the above-described connection form, the case of one-uplinktwo-downlink by passing through the output terminal 3 a and the primaryantenna 15 has been described as an example, but one-uplink two-downlinkby passing through the output terminal 3 b and the secondary antenna 16is also possible.

FIG. 17C is a circuit state diagram in a case of one-uplink two-downlinkof the high-frequency front end module 2G according to Modification 2 ofEmbodiment 3. This diagram illustrates a circuit connection state in acase of one-uplink of Band 25 and two-downlink of Band 66 and Band 25(mode 2: one-uplink two-downlink).

In the mode 2, as illustrated in FIG. 17C, by the control unit, theterminal 20 b and the terminal 20 c are connected to each other in theswitch circuit 20 (fifth connection state). Furthermore, the terminal 50a and the terminal 50 d are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 66 a and theselection terminal 66 c are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 66, and the common terminal 72 c and the selection terminal 72 aare connected to each other in the switch circuit 72.

In this connection state, in the mode 2, a transmission signal in Band25 is transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit50, the transmission amplifier 48, the switch circuit 66, the secondmultiplexer, the switch circuit 72, the switch circuit 20, and theprimary antenna 15, and reception signals in Band 66 and Band 25 arereceived by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna 15, the switchcircuit 20, the switch circuit 72, and the second multiplexer.

Note that in the above-described connection form, the case of one-uplinktwo-downlink by passing through the output terminal 3 a and the primaryantenna 15 has been described as an example, but one-uplink two-downlinkby passing through the output terminal 3 b and the secondary antenna 16is also possible.

FIG. 17D is a circuit state diagram in a case of one-uplink two-downlinkof the high-frequency front end module 2G according to Modification 2 ofEmbodiment 3. This diagram illustrates a circuit connection state in acase of one-uplink of Band 66 and two-downlink of Band 66 and Band 25(mode 2: one-uplink two-downlink).

In the mode 2, as illustrated in FIG. 17D, by the control unit, theterminal 20 a and the terminal 20 c are connected to each other in theswitch circuit 20 (third connection state). Furthermore, the terminal 50a and the terminal 50 c are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 50.

In this connection state, in the mode 2, a transmission signal in Band66 is transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit50, the transmission amplifier 47, the first multiplexer, the switchcircuit 20, and the primary antenna 15, and reception signals in Band 66and Band 25 are received by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna 15,the switch circuit 20, and the first multiplexer.

Note that in the above-described connection form, the case of one-uplinktwo-downlink by passing through the output terminal 3 a and the primaryantenna 15 has been described as an example, but one-uplink two-downlinkby passing through the output terminal 3 b and the secondary antenna 16is also possible.

FIG. 17E is a circuit state diagram in a case of two-uplink two-downlinkof the high-frequency front end module 2G according to Modification 2 ofEmbodiment 3. This diagram illustrates a circuit connection state in acase of two-uplink of Band 1 and Band 3 and two-downlink of Band 1 andBand 3 (mode 1: two-uplink two-downlink).

In the mode 1, as illustrated in FIG. 17E, by the control unit, theterminal 20 a and the terminal 20 c are connected to each other, and theterminal 20 b and the terminal 20 d are connected to each other, in theswitch circuit 20 (first connection state). Furthermore, the terminal 50a and the terminal 50 c are connected to each other, and the terminal 50b and the terminal 50 d are connected to each other, in the switchcircuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 66 a and theselection terminal 66 d are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 66, and the common terminal 72 c and the selection terminal 72 bare connected to each other in the switch circuit 72.

In this connection state, in the mode 1, a transmission signal in Band 3is transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50,the transmission amplifier 47, the first multiplexer, the switch circuit20, and the primary antenna 15, and a transmission signal in Band 1 istransmitted through the output terminal 3 b, the switch circuit 50, thetransmission amplifier 48, the switch circuit 66, the secondmultiplexer, the switch circuit 72, the switch circuit 20, and thesecondary antenna 16. Furthermore, a reception signal in Band 3 isreceived by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna 15, the switchcircuit 20, and the first multiplexer, and a reception signal in Band 1is received by the RFIC 3 through the secondary antenna 16, the switchcircuit 20, the switch circuit 72, and the second multiplexer.

Alternatively, in the mode 1, as illustrated in FIG. 17E, by the controlunit, the terminal 20 a and the terminal 20 d are connected to eachother, and the terminal 20 b and the terminal 20 c are connected to eachother, in the switch circuit 20 (second connection state). Furthermore,the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 d are connected to each other, andthe terminal 50 b and the terminal 50 c are connected to each other, inthe switch circuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 66 a and theselection terminal 66 d are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 66, and the common terminal 72 c and the selection terminal 72 bare connected to each other in the switch circuit 72.

In this connection state, in the mode 1, a transmission signal in Band 1is transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit 50,the transmission amplifier 48, the switch circuit 66, the secondmultiplexer, the switch circuit 72, the switch circuit 20, and theprimary antenna 15, and a transmission signal in Band 3 is transmittedthrough the output terminal 3 b, the switch circuit 50, the transmissionamplifier 47, the first multiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and thesecondary antenna 16. Furthermore, a reception signal in Band 1 isreceived by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna 15, the switchcircuit 20, the switch circuit 72, and the second multiplexer, and areception signal in Band 3 is received by the RFIC 3 through thesecondary antenna 16, the switch circuit 20, and the first multiplexer.

FIG. 17F is a circuit state diagram in a case of two-uplink two-downlinkof the high-frequency front end module 2G according to Modification 2 ofEmbodiment 3. This diagram illustrates a circuit connection state in acase of two-uplink of Band 66 and Band 25 and two-downlink of Band 66and Band 25 (mode 1: two-uplink two-downlink).

In the mode 1, as illustrated in FIG. 17F, by the control unit, theterminal 20 a and the terminal 20 c are connected to each other, and theterminal 20 b and the terminal 20 d are connected to each other, in theswitch circuit 20 (first connection state). Furthermore, the terminal 50a and the terminal 50 c are connected to each other, and the terminal 50b and the terminal 50 d are connected to each other, in the switchcircuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 66 a and theselection terminal 66 c are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 66, and the common terminal 72 c and the selection terminal 72 aare connected to each other in the switch circuit 72.

In this connection state, in the mode 1, a transmission signal in Band66 is transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit50, the transmission amplifier 47, the first multiplexer, the switchcircuit 20, and the primary antenna 15, and a transmission signal inBand 25 is transmitted through the output terminal 3 b, the switchcircuit 50, the transmission amplifier 48, the switch circuit 66, thesecond multiplexer, the switch circuit 72, the switch circuit 20, andthe secondary antenna 16. Furthermore, a reception signal in Band 66 isreceived by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna 15, the switchcircuit 20, and the first multiplexer, and a reception signal in Band 25is received by the RFIC 3 through the secondary antenna 16, the switchcircuit 20, the switch circuit 72, and the second multiplexer.

Alternatively, in the mode 1, as illustrated in FIG. 17F, by the controlunit, the terminal 20 a and the terminal 20 d are connected to eachother, and the terminal 20 b and the terminal 20 c are connected to eachother, in the switch circuit 20 (second connection state). Furthermore,the terminal 50 a and the terminal 50 d are connected to each other, andthe terminal 50 b and the terminal 50 c are connected to each other, inthe switch circuit 50.

Furthermore, by the control unit, the common terminal 66 a and theselection terminal 66 c are connected to each other in the switchcircuit 66, and the common terminal 72 c and the selection terminal 72 aare connected to each other in the switch circuit 72.

In this connection state, in the mode 1, a transmission signal in Band25 is transmitted through the output terminal 3 a, the switch circuit50, the transmission amplifier 48, the switch circuit 66, the secondmultiplexer, the switch circuit 72, the switch circuit 20, and theprimary antenna 15, and a transmission signal in Band 66 is transmittedthrough the output terminal 3 b, the switch circuit 50, the transmissionamplifier 47, the first multiplexer, the switch circuit 20, and thesecondary antenna 16. Furthermore, a reception signal in Band 25 isreceived by the RFIC 3 through the primary antenna 15, the switchcircuit 20, the switch circuit 72, and the second multiplexer, and areception signal in Band 66 is received by the RFIC 3 through thesecondary antenna 16, the switch circuit 20, and the first multiplexer.

Other Embodiments

Although the high-frequency front end modules and the communicationdevices according to the embodiments have been described above using theembodiments and the modifications thereof, the high-frequency front endmodule and the communication device according to the present disclosureare not limited to the above-described embodiments and the modificationsthereof. The present disclosure also encompasses other embodiments thatare implemented by combining desired constituent elements in theabove-described embodiments and modifications thereof, modificationsobtained by adding various changes to the above-described embodimentsand modifications thereof, which are conceived by those skilled in theart, without departing from the gist of the present disclosure, andvarious apparatuses incorporating the high-frequency front end moduleand the communication device according to the present disclosure.

Note that, the above-described embodiments and modifications thereofhave described the configuration of two-uplink two-downlink in which ahigh-frequency signal in the first frequency band and a high-frequencysignal in the second frequency band are simultaneously used as anexample, but the configurations of the high-frequency front end moduleand the communication device according to the present disclosure canalso be applied to the configuration of uplink and/or downlink (forexample, three-uplink three-downlink) in which three or more differentfrequency bands are simultaneously used. That is, the present disclosurealso includes a high-frequency front end module or a communicationdevice including the configuration for executing uplink and/or downlinkin which three or more different frequency bands are simultaneouslyused, the configuration of the high-frequency front end module or thecommunication device according to the above-described embodiments andmodification thereof.

For example, in the high-frequency front end modules and thecommunication devices according to the above-described embodiments andmodifications thereof, other high-frequency circuit elements, wirings,and the like may be inserted between the paths connecting the respectivecircuit elements and signal paths disclosed in the drawings.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure can be widely used for communication apparatuses,such as mobile phones, as a multi-band/multi-mode compatible front endmodule that adopts a carrier aggregation system.

While preferred embodiments of the disclosure have been described above,it is to be understood that variations and modifications will beapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scopeand spirit of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure, therefore, isto be determined solely by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A high-frequency front end module comprising: a primary antenna terminal and a secondary antenna terminal; a first multiplexer and a second multiplexer; a first switch circuit having a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a fourth terminal, a first amplifier having a first output terminal; and a second amplifier having a second output terminal, wherein: the first multiplexer has a first transmission filter, and a first reception filter, the second multiplexer has a second transmission filter, and a second reception filter, the first output terminal is connected to a first input terminal of the first transmission filter, the second output terminal is connected to a second input terminal of the second transmission filter, the first terminal is connected to the primary antenna terminal, the second terminal is connected to the secondary antenna terminal, the third terminal is connected to an output terminal of the first transmission filter and an input terminal of the first reception filter, and the fourth terminal is connected to an output terminal of the second transmission filter and an input terminal of the second reception filter.
 2. The high-frequency front end module according to claim 1, wherein, in the first switch circuit, conduction between the third terminal and the first terminal and conduction between the third terminal and the second terminal are exclusively switched, and conduction between the fourth terminal and the first terminal and conduction between the fourth terminal and the second terminal are exclusively switched.
 3. The high-frequency front end module according to claim 1, wherein the high-frequency front end module is configured to execute a two-uplink in which a first signal in a first transmission band included in a first frequency band and a second signal in a second transmission band included in a second frequency band which is different from the first frequency band are simultaneously transmitted, and a two-downlink in which a third signal in a first reception band included in the first frequency band and a fourth signal in a second reception band included in the second frequency band are simultaneously received.
 4. The high-frequency front end module according to claim 3, wherein: the first transmission filter takes the first transmission band as a pass band, the first reception filter takes the first reception band as a pass band, and the first multiplexer does not have a transmission filter which takes the second transmission band as a pass band.
 5. The high-frequency front end module according to claim 3, wherein: the second transmission filter takes the second transmission band as a pass band, the second reception filter takes a second reception band as a pass band, and the second multiplexer does not have a transmission filter which takes the first transmission band as a pass band.
 6. The high-frequency front end module according to claim 3, wherein the first multiplexer does not have a reception filter which takes the second reception band as a pass band, and the second multiplexer does not have a reception filter which takes the first reception band as a pass band.
 7. The high-frequency front end module according to claim 3, wherein, in a case where the two-uplink and the two-downlink are performed in the first frequency band and the second frequency band, and in a case where one-uplink in which only one of the first signal in the first transmission band or the second signal in the second transmission band is transmitted and the two-downlink in the first frequency band and the second frequency band are performed, one of a first connection state in which the third terminal and the first terminal are conductive to each other and the fourth terminal and the second terminal are conductive to each other, and a second connection state in which the third terminal and the second terminal are conductive to each other and the fourth terminal and the first terminal are conductive to each other is selected.
 8. The high-frequency front end module according to claim 3, wherein the first multiplexer further has a fourth reception filter which takes the second reception band as a pass band, and the second multiplexer further has a third reception filter which takes the first reception band as a pass band.
 9. The high-frequency front end module according to claim 8, wherein, in a case where the two-uplink and the two-downlink are performed in the first frequency band and the second frequency band, one of a first connection state in which the third terminal and the first terminal are conductive to each other and the fourth terminal and the second terminal are conductive to each other, and a second connection state in which the third terminal and the second terminal are conductive to each other and the fourth terminal and the first terminal are conductive to each other is selected, in a case of one-uplink two-downlink in which transmission in the first frequency band is performed and the first signal in the first reception band and the second signal in the second reception band are simultaneously received, one of a third connection state in which the third terminal and the first terminal are conductive to each other, and a fourth connection state in which the third terminal and the second terminal are conductive to each other is selected, and in a case of one-uplink two-downlink in which transmission in the second frequency band is performed and the first signal in the first reception band and the second signal in the second reception band are simultaneously received, one of a fifth connection state in which the fourth terminal and the first terminal are conductive to each other, and a sixth connection state in which the fourth terminal and the second terminal are conductive to each other is selected.
 10. The high-frequency front end module according to claim 1, further comprising: a second switch circuit having a fifth terminal, a sixth terminal, a seventh terminal, and an eighth terminal, wherein the fifth terminal is connected to a first input terminal of the first amplifier, the sixth terminal is connected to a second input terminal of the second amplifier, a signal for the primary antenna terminal is inputted to the seventh terminal, a signal for the secondary antenna terminal is inputted to the eighth terminal, and in the second switch circuit, conduction between the seventh terminal and the fifth terminal is selected in a case where conduction between the third terminal and the first terminal is selected, conduction between the eighth terminal and the fifth terminal is selected in a case where conduction between the third terminal and the second terminal is selected, conduction between the seventh terminal and the sixth terminal is selected in a case where conduction between the fourth terminal and the first terminal is selected, and conduction between the eighth terminal and the sixth terminal is selected in a case where conduction between the fourth terminal and the second terminal is selected.
 11. The high-frequency front end module according to claim 8, wherein a two-uplink in which two first transmission signals among a plurality of transmission signals in the first transmission band included in the first frequency band, a second transmission signal in the second transmission band included in the second frequency band which is different from the first frequency band, and a third transmission signal in a third transmission band included in a third frequency band which is different from the first frequency band and the second frequency band are simultaneously transmitted, and a two-downlink in which two first reception signals among a plurality of reception signals in the first reception band included in the first frequency band, a second reception signal in the second reception band included in the second frequency band, and a third reception signal in a third reception band included in the third frequency band are simultaneously received, are executed, the first multiplexer further has a fifth transmission filter which takes the third transmission band as a pass band, and a fifth reception filter which takes the third reception band as a pass band, and the second multiplexer further has a sixth transmission filter which takes the third transmission band as a pass band, and a sixth reception filter which takes the third reception band as a pass band.
 12. The high-frequency front end module according to claim 3, wherein, among a first transmission signal in the first transmission band included in the first frequency band, a second transmission signal in the second transmission band included in the second frequency band which is different from the first frequency band, and a third transmission signal in a third transmission band included in a third frequency band which is different from the first frequency band and the second frequency band, (1) a two-uplink of the first transmission signal in the first transmission band and the second transmission signal in the second transmission band, and (2) a two-uplink of the first transmission signal in the first transmission band and the third transmission signal in the third transmission band are executed, among a first reception signal in the first reception band included in the first frequency band, a second reception signal in the second reception band included in the second frequency band, and a third reception signal in a third reception band which is included in the third frequency band and includes the second reception band, (3) a two-downlink of the first reception signal in the first reception band and the second reception signal in the second reception band, and (4) a two-downlink of the first reception signal in the first reception band and the third reception signal in the third reception band are executed, the first multiplexer further has a fourth reception filter which takes the third reception band as a pass band, the second multiplexer further has a third reception filter which takes the first reception band as a pass band, and a sixth transmission filter takes the third transmission band as a pass band, and the second reception filter takes, as a pass band, the third reception band which includes the second reception band.
 13. The high-frequency front end module according to claim 3, wherein the high-frequency front end module: (1) executes the two-uplink and the two-downlink of the first frequency band and the second frequency band, and (2) is configured to execute a two-uplink two-downlink in which a fourth high-frequency signal in a fourth frequency band which is different from the first frequency band and the second frequency band, and a fifth high-frequency signal in a fifth frequency band which is different from the first frequency band, the second frequency band, and the fourth frequency band are simultaneously transmitted and simultaneously received, the first frequency band is a band 66 of LTE (Long Term Evolution), the second frequency band is a band 25 of LTE, the fourth frequency band is a band 1 of LTE, and the fifth frequency band is a band 3 of LTE.
 14. The high-frequency front end module according to claim 3, wherein the high-frequency front end module: (1) executes the two-uplink and the two-downlink of the first frequency band and the second frequency band, and (2) is configured to execute a two-uplink two-downlink in which a fourth high-frequency signal in a fourth frequency band which is different from the first frequency band and the second frequency band, and a fifth high-frequency signal in a fifth frequency band which is different from the first frequency band, the second frequency band, and the fourth frequency band are simultaneously transmitted and simultaneously received, the first frequency band is a band 1 of LTE, the second frequency band is a band 3 of LTE, the fourth frequency band is a band 66 of LTE, and the fifth frequency band is a band 25 of LTE.
 15. The high-frequency front end module according to claim 10, further comprising: a transmission amplifier; a reception amplifier; a third switch circuit having a common terminal connected to an input terminal of the reception amplifier; and a fourth switch circuit having a common terminal connected to an output terminal of the transmission amplifier.
 16. The high-frequency front end module according to claim 10, further comprising: a first transmission amplifier; a second transmission amplifier; and a third switch circuit having a common terminal, a first selection terminal, and a second selection terminal, wherein the common terminal is connected to an output terminal of the first transmission amplifier.
 17. The high-frequency front end module according to claim 16, wherein the fifth terminal of the second switch circuit is connected to an input of the second transmission amplifier.
 18. A communication device comprising: the high-frequency front end module according to claim 1; and an RF signal processing circuit configured to process a high-frequency signal transmitted and received by the high-frequency front end module.
 19. A communication device comprising: the high-frequency front end module according to claim 15; and an RF signal processing circuit configured to process a high-frequency signal transmitted and received by the high-frequency front end module, wherein an output terminal of the reception amplifier is connected to the RF signal processing circuit.
 20. A communication device comprising: the high-frequency front end module according to claim 16; and an RF signal processing circuit configured to process a high-frequency signal transmitted and received by the high-frequency front end module, wherein the RF signal processing circuit is connected to an input of the second transmission amplifier. 